The evolution of consumption of animal products in France: multiple challenges

Abstract

The consumption of animal products is a crucial issue for global food security. The high consumption of animal proteins in France is now at the heart of sustainability issues, faced with less favourable public recommendations, after having followed an increasing trend over the past decades. Major changes have taken place behind this evolution, both between and within major food categories, as shown by the analysis of purchasing data over 4 decades. Now in a context of saturation of protein needs, and in particular from animal sources, households have to consider re-orientating their consumption patterns. Incentives are proposed via price increase simulations, the consequences of which are examined in terms of sustainability: reduction of environmental emissions, nutritional quality of food, and equity. The compatibility of these three dimensions provides the terms of trade-off for decision-makers