According to the results of a Nutrimétrie survey carried out for UNILET (the French canned and frozen vegetable trade association), 9 out of 10 French people still do not eat enough vegetables. Given this situation, processed vegetables - "easy to prepare, available all year round and suited to our current lifestyle" - would appear to be essential allies in rebalancing our plates and facilitating access to a plant-based diet.
Consumption of vegetables still insufficient
While public health recommendations call for the consumption of "at least 5 fruit and vegetables a day," only 13% of adults and 9% of children reached this target in 2024, according to the Nutrimétrie survey. The average consumption of vegetables by adults in 2024 was 140.6g/day, well below the PNNS recommendations (at least 400g/day of fruit and vegetables combined). Over the last 10 years, the proportion of vegetables in meals has dropped in favor of snacking.
Marked social and regional disparities
While almost all children (99.3%) and adults (98.6%) ate vegetables or soup at least once during the three days studied by Nutrimétrie, this finding needs to be clarified. The data shows that vegetable consumption varies greatly according to socio-demographic profile. The over-65s, couples without children, and senior executives eat the most vegetables, while younger adults (18-44), single-parent families, and blue-collar and white-collar workers eat the least. There are also geographical disparities: adults living in the north of France eat an average of 45 grams less vegetables per day than those living in the southwest of France.
Additionally, with the development of remote work, staggered working hours, and a faster pace of life, many French people eat alone, quickly, and even several times a day. This trend limits the preparation of home-cooked meals and, as a consequence, curbs vegetable consumption. It is worth noting that at the moment in France, remote work represents approximately 7% of working days.
Canned and frozen vegetables: Convenience, quality, and fairness
"Prepared within 5 hours post-harvest, processed as close as possible to the production areas, canned and frozen vegetables preserve their nutritional qualities. They are suitable for all budgets, reduce waste, and are part of everyday family life. Nutrimétrie shows that they account for 17% of vegetables eaten every day by adults, and up to 20% among those who meet the recommendations. Among children who eat an average amount of fruit and vegetables (between 3 and 5 portions), canned vegetables account for 15% of their intake. Canned and frozen vegetables could therefore make it easier to reach the recommended 5 portions/day, especially for people with lower incomes or less time on their hands. According to Nutrimétrie, all socio-professional categories consume canned and frozen vegetables in similar proportions, demonstrating the important role of these products in widening access to vegetables across all income levels," according to UNILET.
A response to public health issues
For Dr Laurence Plumey, medical nutritionist, "there are more and more problems in France related to excess weight, diabetes, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The obesity rate now stands at 19.3% among adults, which is 16% more than in 2019. French people's plates are unbalanced, with too few vegetables. The most important thing is to eat vegetables, whatever their form. Fresh, canned, or frozen, they are essential for rebalancing our diets and preventing chronic disease."
For more information:
UNILET
44, rue d'Alésia
TSA 21443
75158 PARIS CEDEX 14
Phone: +33(0)1.86.04.15.24
[email protected]