The 5 A Day program endorses recipes that promote fruit and vegetables and are low in fat and cholesterol. The use of whole grains and minimal use of salt and sugar are strongly encouraged in all 5 A Day recipes. To earn the 5 A Day seal of approval, recipes must:

Contribute at least one serving* of a fruit and/or a vegetable per portion of the recipe. Baked goods are allowed providing one serving contains a full 5 A Day serving of a fruit or vegetable, and meets the fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium criteria, as specified below.

Must not contain more than 30% of calories from fat or 3 grams of total fat per 100 gram serving; not more than 10% of calories from saturated fat or 1 gram of saturated fat per 100 grams; not more than 100 milligrams of cholesterol; and not more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Be supplied by the Produce for Better Health Foundation or the National Cancer Institute. Recipes from other sources can be used but must be analyzed using the Mini Minnesota Nutrition Data System or be approved by the Produce for Better Health Foundation. NCI requires that the Mini-Minnesota Nutrition Data System be used to analyze recipes because of its extensive and scientifically sound database. Recipe analysis and approval can be obtained for a nominal fee by sending the recipes to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, 5301 Limestone Road, Suite 101; Wilmington, DE 19808-1249. Phone:302/235-ADAY, FAX: 302/235-5555.