Reduced prices, promotional lots … A collective of associations engaged for a healthy and sustainable food has looked into the food promotions practiced by the main French supermarkets. The results of the survey are alarming: only one in ten promotion food is healthy.
Currently in France, “junk food” is a factor of mortality for 11% of the population, a figure that climbs for the poorest. Disadvantaged households are indeed those who suffer most from the consequences of an unhealthy diet, As revealed by Report of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (EESC), published in April 2025. The poorest 10 % would have 2.8 times more likely to develop diabetes than the richest 10 %.
One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is well known: Healthy food is too often less affordable than ultra-transformed products, too fatty, too sweet or too salty. This is a major problem, still confirmed today by an investigation carried out by seven associations, which show that Food promotions in large retailers mostly concern unhealthy foods. However, in a context of purchasing power crisis, promotions have major importance in household consumption choices, especially the most disadvantaged.
Junk food
Nearly 5,000 promotions on food products offered by the main players in large distribution have been analyzed In February and March 2025 by associations. The collective brings together seven organizations involved in health promotion, the defense of consumers and the preservation of the environment, as Foodwatch France, the Action Climate, France Assos Health network, the Union Confederation of Families or the National Collective of Obesse Associations.
The results of the study are clear: the vast majority of promotions offered by Carrefour, Cooperative U, E. Leclerc, Intermarché and Lidl do not meet the health recommendations of the National Nutrition (PNNS) and public health program France. Two thirds of promotions relate to unhealthy products: ultra-transformed foods, sugary drinks, cold meats and other industrial cookies and cakes.
In short, foods that all official public health recommendations call precisely to limit strongly. Many promotions also encourage overconsumption of these products Since 40% of them relate to lots or offer a free additional item.
Major risks for public health
On the other hand, products whose consumption by French should increase such as fruits, vegetables or legumes are only subject to very few promotional offers. Only 12% of promotions relate to food beneficial for health.
Regarding the environment, the observation is far from more brilliant. Only 5% of promotions relate to foods from organic farming, And there are almost six times more promotions for animal proteins than for vegetable proteins, with the environmental impact, however much lower.
This observation thus in front of frontal contradiction with the official recommendations in matters of public health. Instead of making healthy foods like fruits and vegetables accessible, large distribution encourages to consume products with deleterious health effects. The key, serious pathologies such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or obesity, which are responsible for a large part of premature deaths by non -transmitted diseases.
Large distribution in the face of its responsibilities
Faced with this situation which they deem unacceptable, associations require that large retailers guarantee at least 50 % of promotions on quality products, at affordable prices. « We denounce a system dominated by the interests of agro-industry and large distributionwhich pushes to consume ultra-transformed products, inexpensive but harmful to health ”, Declares Antoine TIROT for the CSF (Family Union Confederation). Audrey Morice, campaign manager at Foodwatch France, continues:
“In the context of opacity of food prices, and the stranglehold of the agrifood giants on our plates and what we can buy and consume, it is urgent to act on food and the food environment”
The collective thus launched a petition targeting the main distributors And calling them to act quickly.
Claims that seem to join those of public opinion, since 88% of the French population would be in favor of supermarkets mostly offer promotions on healthy foods, according to the Barometer on French meat consumption.
A perspective still very far from being realized, the actors of Large distribution as well as the public authorities for the moment to assume their heavy responsibilities in terms of promoting a healthy food.
– Marriage Gemiot
Image Par Jessica Latorre. Pixabay.
