The role of food in the increased risk of certain diseases, such as cancer, obesity or cardiovascular disorders, and in their prevention, has now been established scientifically. To improve prevention of these diseases and the general health of the French population, it is essential to fully document the foods people eat and their nutritional status. To this end, ANSES carries out an Individual and national study on food consumption (INCA study) every seven years, sponsored by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture. 

What does an average daily diet consist of in France? The INCA 2 study demonstrated that on average the diet contains 44% carbohydrates, 39% fats and 17% proteins. In other words, intake of fats is still too high and intake of carbohydrates and fibre too low. Young adults do not eat enough fruit and vegetables. Changes since 1999 are mostly positive but nuanced: stabilisation of energy intake in adults, and a significant decrease of intakes in children below 14 years of age, increase in the consumption of fruit in adults and adolescents, decreased consumption of alcohol among adults, and decreased intake of salt, although consumption levels still remain too high.