HOUSEHOLD consumption of fresh beef is greater than predicted levels according to the latest National Food Survey.

Although consumption fell following the announcement of a possible link between BSE and CJD in March 1996, it quickly recovered in 1997, back in line with expected trends, says the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food which has just published the annual survey results for 1999.

During 1998 and 1999, consumption of beef was above expected trends at 110 grams (slightly over four ounces) per person per week.

MAFF has also reported that consumption of beef was 13 per cent higher in the first three-quarters of 2000 than in the same period of 1999.

The latest National Food Survey - a long-established source of information on food purchases and the nutritional value of the domestic diet - is based on a sample of around 6,000 Great British households who are asked to keep a diary of their household and eating out food and drink purchases over one week.

The survey has encouragingly revealed that consumption of fresh fruit in GB households is on the increase.

There has also been a 40 per cent increase over the past 10 years in the consumption of processed potatoes.