France has a long and distinguished culinary heritage and pleasure and sociability are considered paramount. However, diet and health have taken a high public profile as obesity levels rise and the French have had to take a long, hard look at their eating habits, prompted by a concerned government.

As the message hits home, the market for healthier options in the five markets reviewed in this report (dairy, bakery, crisps and snacks, confectionery and soft drinks) – already worth some €6 billon – will continue to move forward. Functional foods have performed outstandingly in France, particularly in chilled dairy, where there is a long tradition of using fermented milk drinks. The concept of specific foods with specific health benefits has found widespread acceptance and functionality is moving out from its base in chilled dairy to other sectors.

The potential for healthy eating in France remains large, although taste and texture remain key criteria. French people are accustomed to spending more on better quality food ingredients and this will tend to drive market value forward, although a deteriorating economic scenario and pressure on retail prices will tend to hold back growth.

The countries examined within the Consumer Goods Intelligence series of reports are France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.