For busy parents, nourishing children with the right types of food can be wonderfully simplified, turning it from a chore into a joy. But what if we told you that good health starts with something as simple—and colourful—as 5-A-DAY with KOO?
As a proud staple in South African kitchens, KOO is committed to making healthy eating effortless and delicious, especially for our family members. Backed by years of trust and quality, KOO has been passionate about helping parents get 2 fruits and 3 veggies into their family’s daily meals, from breakfast through to dinner. This how 5-A-DAY with KOO was conceptualised.
Why 5-A-DAY Matters
As people are growing, learning, and constantly on the move, making balanced nutrition essential for their physical development becomes an important aspect to keep them strong enough to be able to keep up with those demands. That’s where the KOO’ 5-A-DAY comes in. According to the NHS, eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day helps support children’s growth, strengthens their immune systems, and reduces the risk of health issues later in life, including heart disease and some types of cancer (NHS, Why 5 A Day)
For children, this can easily be broken down into:
- 2 servings of fruit for natural sugars, essential vitamins, and hydration.
- 3 servings of vegetables for fibre, minerals, and long-lasting energy.
By making small, colourful changes to every meal, families can effortlessly work towards their 5-A-DAY and establish a lifetime of healthy habits. This combination helps boost immunity, improve concentration, and build a foundation for lifelong healthy habits. “As a nutrition professional, I see the power of practical solutions in supporting family health,” says Arthur Ramoroka, Corporate Nutritionist at Tiger Brands. “At KOO, our role goes beyond providing products—we help South Africans connect nutritional science with real, everyday meals. Through initiatives like 5-A-DAY and Colour Your Plate, we’re making healthy eating achievable, sustainable, and fun for families.”
KOO’s Purpose-Driven Plate
For over 100 years, Tiger Brands has been committed to improving public health, and KOO has led the charge. KOO’s trusted range of canned fruits, vegetables and legumes is designed to make help make nutritious and affordable eating accessible for all South Africans, ensuring that healthier choices are within everyone’s reach. This commitment is clearly reflected in the 2024 Tigerbrands Sustainability Report which highlights KOOs ongoing impact within:
- 60% of Tiger Brands food portfolio, which largely includes KOO canned produce has since met its nutritional standards for healthier products categories within the Eat Well Live Well (EWLW) programme.
- Tiger Brands has invested R84 million into health and nutrition education, that has promoted awareness around balanced diets and supporting healthier eating habits through beloved brands such as KOO – ensuring South Africans understand the value of balanced diets.
- Over the years 74 465 learners across 78 schools nationally were provided with nutritious daily breakfasts through the Tiger Brands Foundation.
When it comes to meal preparation, KOO’s range of canned fruits, vegetables and legumes takes the prep time out of healthy eating. Whether it’s a spoonful of peaches in morning oats, sweetcorn in a lunchbox wrap, or chakalaka as part of supper, these colourful, flavourful options help parents serve up 5-A-DAY without fuss.
Colour Your Plate, Colour Your Life
Now in its fourth season, “Colour Your Plate with KOO” takes the 5-A-DAY message straight into the heart of South African homes. With over 45 million viewers across the continent since its debut in 2021, the show goes beyond sharing delicious recipes—it’s about showing families just how easy and enjoyable it is to add more colour, and therefore more nutrition, to every meal.
Each episode is designed to inspire viewers to incorporate at least two fruits and three vegetables daily by featuring creative, family-friendly dishes that use accessible, affordable ingredients—many straight from the KOO range. Through expert advice, clever cooking tips, and vibrant meal ideas, the show champions the ethos that when you fill your plate with a rainbow of produce, you’re also filling it with essential nutrients for good health.
As Thabiso Masehla, Senior Brand Manager at Tiger Brands explains, “Colour Your Plate with KOO is more than just a celebration of our beloved products—it’s a commitment KOO drives to the health and wellbeing of every South African. Through this show, we’re empowering families with the knowledge and inspiration to embrace nutritious, affordable meals that meet the 5-A-DAY goal. It’s about making healthy eating tasty, simple, accessible, and part of our everyday culture, because a healthier nation starts at home—one colourful plate at a time.”
Viewers can catch “Colour Your Plate with KOO” on SABC 2, airing weekly at 7:30PM on Tuesday with fresh episodes that entertain while educating. Full episodes are also available on KOO Food’s YouTube Page, making it easier than ever to bring the 5-A-DAY habit home, no matter your schedule.
By showing South Africans how simple, affordable, and fun it is to meet their daily fruit and vegetable goals, Colour Your Plate with KOO is more than a cooking show—it’s a movement towards healthier, happier families, one colourful meal at a time.
Making Healthy Eating a Habit
KOO believes that healthy choices shouldn’t be complicated. With affordable, high-quality products, educational platforms like Colour Your Plate, and initiatives rooted in nutrition science, KOO continues helping families build lasting habits. Because a balanced plate today is an investment in tomorrow’s healthy, happy adults. And with a little help from KOO, getting to 5-A-DAY can be as easy as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.