London Nov 10th 2016: The United Nations (UN) has officially launched 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP), which offers a unique opportunity to promote and encourage the production and consumption of UK grown Pulses, including Faba Beans and Marrowfat Peas. The UK is one of the top three Faba bean exporters globally, yet us Brits aren’t including enough Pulses in our diets.
Andrew Jacobs, chair of UK IYP Promotion Group, said: “We want to encourage everyone to consume more Pulses in 2016, and we hope the whole world will join us on Jan 6th to kick off the initiative and celebrate International Pulse Feast Day.
“January 6th is traditionally known as “Bean Feast”, following the ancient tradition of throwing a party on Twelfth Night where, whoever received the slice of cake which included the one and only bean, became the Bean King for the day, so it makes sense to launch International Year of Pulses then!
“We have an array of events taking place throughout the year to celebrate IYP, including the London Falafel Festival on May 1st, which will be held at iconic Borough Market. We plan to feature falafel chefs from Lebanon, Egypt and Israel alongside local falafel chefs, in a competition to find the most popular recipe of this famous street food.
“It is little known that the UK is the major supplier of Faba Beans favoured in Egypt and the Arabian Crescent for making both falafels and ”FUL” a healthy breakfast porridge, whilst the UK also exports Peas to China, India, Japan and Italy.”
With over 800 million people globally suffering from acute or chronic undernourishment and a rising tide of health problems linked to poor diets, IYP also aims to demonstrate the integral role Pulses have in global food security and nutrition. The United Nations’ designated year will create a unique opportunity to increase UK consumer awareness of the smart option increasing pulse consumption represents.
Also launching today is www.Pulses.Org which will provide a fantastic international resource bringing health focussed, pulse based inspiring recipes from around the world.
Global Pulse Confederation is supported in the UK by BEPA (British Edible Pulse Association) and GAFTA (Grain & Feed Trade Association).
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. In addition to being delicious and easy to cook, pulses can help with:
- Diabetes prevention and control
- Reducing the risk of heart disease
- Cholesterol reduction
- Anemia prevention
- Weight management
2. The Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) is the global not for profit trade organization for the global pulse industry value chain. As the sole international confederation for the industry, it enjoys membership from 18 national associations (federations) and over 600 private sector members in an industry worth over $100 billion at the retail level and over 60 million tons of pulse production and distribution in over 55 countries. GPC is headquartered in Dubai http://iyp2016.org/about-us/global-pulse-confederation-cicils-iptic
3. UN Assembly Resolution on the 2016 International Year of the Pulses: http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/68/231&Lang=E
Upcoming Activities
The GPC is supporting FAO activities and is working with its members and partners around the world to engage in studies and efforts to highlight pulses in 2016, in particular, through a cycle of international conferences and events on pulses. One of the first such events is Little Beans, Big Opportunities: Realizing the Potential of Pulses to Meet Today's Global Health Challenges. This inaugural conference is scheduled for November 19th at the New York Academy of Sciences www.nyas.org/IYP.
For details of other events scheduled around the world to support IYP 2016 see www.iyp2016.org.
1. The GPC also encourages everyone to eat more pulses next year, and specifically that all people consume them during the global Pulse Feast January 6, 2016. It is an easy commitment that can be made in everyone’s home that will raise consumers’ awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses.
2. For recipes, nutrition and health information please visit: www.pulses.org or follow #LovePulses on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. For industry news go to www.iyp2016.org
UK media contact:
Rebecca Jones T: 0113 887 3873
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International media contact:
James Thellusson T: UK 0203 763 2853
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Fiona Lane T: 0113 887 3016
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