PARIS, 2025-06-18 11:49:00
French Food: A Changing Landscape
A new study reveals a shift in French attitudes toward food, with pleasure in eating declining and economic constraints reshaping eating habits.
- The percentage of French people who find pleasure in their food has decreased by 16 points as 2016.
- 37% of French people are now restricting food expenses due to economic reasons.
- Distrust in major food brands is growing, with more people considering distributor brands to be of equal or superior quality.
Are the French losing their joie de vivre around the table? according to a recent report by L’Obsoco,in collaboration with the Editions of the Jean Jaurès Foundation,the French food model is undergoing meaningful changes,with the very act of eating reflecting societal tensions. This shift is marked by a decline in the pleasure derived from food and an increase in budgetary constraints impacting food choices.
“We are what we eat.” Political scientist Paul Ariès reminds us that food shapes not only our bodies but also our social interactions and cultural identities. Food history is a seesaw, alternating between stability and disruption, especially in times of societal shifts. Today, France finds itself at such a pivotal moment.
Health Concerns vs. Action: While 60% are worried about food’s health impact, actual attention to it is decreasing. Is awareness translating into behavior?
The study indicates a paradoxical trend: While 60% of French people are concerned about the impact of their food on their health (a 4-point increase since 2021), the attention paid to these effects is actually decreasing. It’s as if intentions and actions are misaligned.
A Crisis of Confidence in Food
The survey also highlights a crisis of confidence within the food ecosystem. Distrust is on the rise towards major food brands, seen as too expensive without providing tangible benefits. Meanwhile, distributor brands are gaining credibility, with 69% of French people believing their quality equals that of major brands, and 8% even considering them superior.
Brand Perception Shift: 69% see distributor brands as equal in quality, and 8% consider them superior. What does this meen for major food brands?
Eating habits are also evolving.There’s a surge in specific diets, with one in three French people now following a particular regime.meals are becoming more individualized, and consumers are diversifying their shopping sources, visiting an average of 5.3 different food shops, up from 3.3 in 2019.
This trend presents a significant challenge to large-scale distribution, which is losing its dominant position to the rise of food specialists. The survey prompts reflection on preserving the French tradition of enjoying food and sharing meals together.
“France at the table” Explores Changes
Food influences our identity, social lives, and relationship with the world. The “France at the table” study aims to understand how concerns, expectations, and food practices are changing. The study’s key findings reveal several shifts in consumer behavior.
Decline in Shared Meals: 43% eat alone at home, compared to 29% twenty years ago. How is this affecting social cohesion?
Here’s a look at some of the key survey data:
- 57% of French people find pleasure in their food, a decrease of 16 points since 2016, signaling a more constrained relationship with food.
- 37% report restricting food expenses due to economic reasons,with 11% facing significant limitations.
- 43% eat alone at home, compared to 29% twenty years ago, indicating a decline in shared meals.
- 60% express concern about the impact of food on their health (up 4 points from 2021), yet the actual attention paid to these effects is decreasing.
- One in three french people follow a specific diet, reflecting greater autonomy from collective norms.
- 40% believe the quality of food products has declined in the past five years, fueled by direct experiences and a feeling of downgrading.
- 69% believe distributor brands offer quality equivalent to major brands.
- The average number of food businesses attended regularly is 5.3 (up from 3.3 in 2019), reflecting a more strategic but also more disoriented consumer approach.
- 70% of women handle grocery shopping and meal preparation alone, highlighting persistent inequalities.
- 53% of French people spend less then thirty minutes at the table, down from 38% in 1999, with the time for meals being compressed due to daily routines.
- 78% believe that “we could live by eating much less,” reflecting frugality driven by choice, economic pressure, and health concerns.
The study, France at the table, reveals a transformation in the relationship with food, reflecting economic, social, and cultural changes across the country. The abundance that once seemed to solve hunger and food insecurity now poses challenges to health, the environment, and social cohesion.
This shift in eating habits raises questions about the ability to preserve a culinary and social heritage. The stakes are not only nutritional or commercial, but also political, democratic, and deeply human.
The changing landscape of French eating habits isn’t solely about economics and individual choices. Social support, or the lack thereof, also plays a critical role in these shifts, especially as the study notes a decline in shared meals and increasing individualism. The concept of ‘conviviality’ – the joy of sharing food and company – is deeply embedded in French culture, and its erosion warrants a closer look.
The decline in shared meals, with 43% of French people eating alone, is a significant factor. This shift isn’t just a statistic; it reflects a breakdown in social connections and support networks.It also has implications for overall well-being. When meals are eaten alone, the focus frequently enough shifts to convenience and efficiency, potentially impacting food choices and the time dedicated to meal preparation. This then often leads to a greater reliance on major brands, the same lack of trust that fuels the rise of distributor brands.
Loneliness at the Table: The decrease in shared meals at home may indicate a lack of social support,impacting not only diet but overall well-being as well.
The “France at the table” study highlighted a rise in concerns about food health impacts, yet a concurrent decrease in
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