A definitive guide to the nutritional content of raw and cooked potatoes – and the health claims that can be used on potato packaging – has been launched for the potato industry.

Produced by the Potato Council specifically for growers, processors and packers, the ‘Potatoes: The Facts’ booklet is a unique tool that will help the industry demonstrate the core nutritional values of potatoes – particularly when compared to other carbohydrates – and increase awareness amongst consumers.

The guide provides full explanations of the nutritional benefits of potatoes in addition to comprehensive nutritional tables for potatoes in all their forms. In-depth nutritional comparisons are also drawn between baked potatoes and chips versus rice and pasta, as well as crisps compared with other snacks.

Heike Kroemer, Potato Council marketing executive, said: “Health is one of the key drivers for meal choices for consumers today and despite being packed full of more nutrients, potatoes are still losing out to pasta and rice. By reinforcing their natural healthiness through clear and concise on-pack messaging we can help change some of the common misconceptions shoppers have about potatoes.”

Potatoes are a great choice as part of a healthy balanced diet – they are naturally fat free, a good source of vitamins B1, B6 and vitamin C and a source of folic acid. All three of these nutritional health claims can legitimately be used on potato packaging, along with four other claims which have been approved by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).

The Potato Council developed the guide in conjunction with the BNF, following the introduction of new regulations by the European Commission (EC) on 1 July 2007 to harmonise the way in which on-pack health claims are made across the European Union (EU). The new regulations will be available by January 2010.

Heike added: “This guide will help growers, processors and packers ensure that they are making the most of the approved health and nutritional claims about potatoes on packaging. It will also act as a useful reference tool for industry until the EC’s list of permitted nutrition and health claims becomes available in two years time.”

Copies of ‘Potatoes: The Facts’ guide are available to order by calling Heike Kroemer, Potato Council marketing on 01865 714455 or email hkroemer@potato.org.uk.