Most adults worldwide consume insufficient quantities of fruits and vegetables, falling short of WHO recommendations. Recent research provides a solution: frozen and canned produce options cost 20–40% less than fresh alternatives while delivering nutritionally equivalent micronutrient profiles.
This cost differential carries significant public health implications. For individuals and families experiencing food insecurity or limited budgets, frozen and canned options represent practical pathways to adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. The nutritional equivalence—with key nutrients preserved at 85–92% of fresh produce levels—removes the financial barrier that often prevents dietary guideline adherence.
These findings underscore that nutritional equity need not depend on access to premium fresh produce markets, enabling broader populations to meet evidence-based dietary targets.
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