In France, 83% of children and adolescents and nearly 80% of working adults and students eat one or more meals outside their home each week. It is in this context that the National Food Safety Agency decided to carry out an inventory of the food consumption of French people outside their homes.
8 out of 10 people eat out every week
Based on data from the INCA3 study conducted in mainland France in 2014-2015, the report shows that 8 out of 10 people eat outside their home every week. Even though fast food only accounts for 5% of adult food intake, “ its attendance at least once a week doubled between 2006 and 2014 for adults as well as for children and adolescents, suggesting a greater contribution in the future in the general population »Specifies the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES). Especially since this inventory does not take into account the specific situation linked to Covid-19 while the market share of fast food has increased in recent months.
Focus on food families
According to ANSES, “ Among adults and adolescents who are heavy consumers of fast food, food groups like sandwiches, pizzas, pies, and soft drinks without alcohol are consumed in significant amounts. They are thus the main contributors to all of their nutritional intake. “. As Carine Dubuisson, one of the study coordinators, explains, “ it is not so much the quantity of nutrients that will be different, but their nature »She specifies. While sugar intake is found more in sugary drinks than in fruit, lipids come from processed products like pizzas and quiches. This is why ANSES recommends making improving the supply of fast food restaurants a priority.
Suggest areas for improvement
According to Carine Dubuisson, “ the objective of the report is not to stigmatize fast food, but to observe what is consumed ” and ” to expand the offer »By suggesting areas for improvement. This may involve more balanced recipes (more fruits and vegetables, dairy products and fiber, and less soda, pizza and salt) and smaller portions. On the other hand, ANSES sent a satisfactory report on the subject of collective catering (school and company canteens), of which ” consumption is more in line with current dietary recommendations “. In this sense, the Agency recommends facilitating access to as many people as possible.
