{"id":775,"date":"2025-10-02T22:11:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T20:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/?post_type=news&#038;p=775"},"modified":"2025-09-15T22:11:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T20:11:36","slug":"pnns5-a-turning-point-for-food-in-france","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/pnns5-un-tournant-pour-lalimentation-en-france\/","title":{"rendered":"PNNS5: a turning point for nutrition in France"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The HCSP's opinion of 10 June 2025 marks a significant break in the governance of nutrition in France. The future PNNS5 will broaden its scope to include all the systemic determinants of health - diet, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, sleep and sustainability - and will make a conscious switch from essentially voluntary tools to a body of binding regulatory and fiscal instruments. This recommendation gives the PNNS5 an unprecedented strategic scope: it redefines not only the conditions of access to the market and the structure of supply, but also the way in which the food environment frames consumer choices. The framework thus established has direct implications for the food industry, the catering trade, the distribution sector and local public policies.<\/strong> <strong>We'll see what's in the final document<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1) Differentiation between PNNS5 and PNNS4<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PNNS4 was based on a combination of awareness-raising campaigns, voluntary partnerships and more ad hoc regulatory tools. Its evaluation highlighted the limited scope of self-regulated commitments and the inability of isolated incentive mechanisms to transform the offer in depth. In this opinion, the PNNS5 stands out in two major respects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Redefining the scope<\/strong> Public health is approached from an integrative perspective, with a focus on behavioural and environmental determinants (physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, sleep, etc.), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/nutritional-innovation-sustainability-bia-report-2023\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"387\">sustainability<\/a> food systems). The suggested name change is intended to reflect this paradigmatic repositioning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Primacy of binding instruments<\/strong> The regulatory approach is replacing the incentive approach. The HCSP asserts that public health protection requires prescriptive standards and fiscal mechanisms to structurally modify economic incentives and industrial practices.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2) Regulation of commercial communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Communication is <strong>a linchpin of the system.<\/strong> The HCSP recommends <strong>an almost blanket ban on the promotion of Nutri-Score D\/E products<\/strong>, with a scope that far exceeds the previous frameworks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ban on audiovisual and digital advertising between 7am and 10pm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elimination of the use of mascots, brand characters and attractive elements on packaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prohibition of promotional applications and games, as well as up-selling mechanisms (lotteries, premiums, prizes).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blocking of sponsorship, brand placement and event communication associated with D\/E products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supervision of merchandising practices, including shelf-head placement, promotional visibility and campaigns on ordering and delivery platforms.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Analysis<\/strong> These restrictions reflect <strong>an \u00abexposure reduction\u00bb approach\u00bb<\/strong> which is part of the model of protective food environments. The literature emphasises that regulating commercial communication is a powerful lever for reducing the influence of marketing stimuli on young and vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3) Tax instrument: a nutritional excise duty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Taxation is becoming a central tool. The HCSP recommends the creation of a <strong>nutritional excise tax<\/strong> covering all products classified as D or E, with three structuring principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Based on a single metric<\/strong> The Nutri-Score would be the benchmark indicator, making it easier to read and more consistent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ex-ante evaluations<\/strong> obligation to carry out impact assessments prior to deployment, guaranteeing the proportionality and economic relevance of the measure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finalised allocation of revenue<\/strong> The resources collected should be reinjected into targeted public policies, such as the distribution of food stamps for fruit and vegetables, in order to strengthen social acceptability and distributive efficiency.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reading<\/strong> This approach reflects a logic of \u2019internalising negative nutritional externalities\u00ab, by imposing on economic operators the social cost of unfavourable products, undoubtedly including foodstuffs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/ultra-processed-foods-and-health-implications-for-ingredient-producers\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"453\">ultra-processed<\/a> the negative effects of which are well documented (see graph below). The anticipated impact is twofold: <strong>encouraging reformulation and financing corrective actions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"891\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Capture-decran-2025-09-15-a-21.47.17-1024x891.png\" alt=\"Ultra-processed foods and PNNS5\" class=\"wp-image-777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Capture-decran-2025-09-15-a-21.47.17-1024x891.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Capture-decran-2025-09-15-a-21.47.17-300x261.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Capture-decran-2025-09-15-a-21.47.17.png 1556w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4) Extension of the scope of the Nutri-Score<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nutrition labelling is being extended beyond its initial scope. The HCSP recommends :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Extension to non-pre-packaged foods<\/strong> (products sold in bulk).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integration into out-of-home catering<\/strong>, including collective and commercial catering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deployment of pilot experiments<\/strong> in order to adjust the operational procedures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Links with emerging environmental labelling schemes<\/strong>, to avoid a cacophony of competing indicators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Backed by an almost universal reputation<\/strong> (99.6 %) and already significant take-up (1,406 companies committed by the end of 2023).<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Consequences<\/strong> Labelling is becoming a ubiquitous, cross-cutting reference point, capable of reshaping the perception of what's on offer in all consumer contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5) Out-of-home catering: stricter standards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The out-of-home catering (OOH) sector has been identified as a major lever:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Revision of recommendations applicable to mass catering, including schools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of supervised menus in secondary schools to anchor healthy eating practices from adolescence onwards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reorientation of vending machines towards a healthier offer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ecological transition of central kitchens, replacing plastic with alternative materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pilot results: Nutri-Score labelling in commercial catering leads to a positive and lasting change in nutritional intake.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Analysis<\/strong> The restaurant and catering sector is becoming an arena for standardising eating habits, acting as a catalyst to bring collective environments into line with public health recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6) Nutritional guidelines: coherence between health and the environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The PNNS5 should reaffirm and specify the consumption guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increase in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/plant-based-food-and-cardiovascular-health-two-new-studies-confirm-a-protective-link\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"590\">pulses<\/a>, wholegrain cereals, nuts, fruit and vegetables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce your consumption of red meat and charcuterie.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explicit integration of sustainability: promotion of local products, organic where possible, and consistent nutritional and environmental messages.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Perspective<\/strong> This approach embodies the convergence of nutritional and environmental imperatives, reflecting the transition towards more sustainable diets that are compatible with climate and health objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7) Governance and monitoring systems<\/strong> <strong>of the PNNS5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The HCSP is proposing an enriched governance system designed to strengthen steering capacity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>OQALI<\/strong> The new role of the Food and Drug Administration is to monitor the nutritional quality of the products on offer, covering composition, labelling and compliance with standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Albane<\/strong> A new system for collecting and analysing data, enabling public health objectives to be dynamically adjusted and the effectiveness of policies implemented to be assessed.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Involvement<\/strong> Governance is based on evidence and continuous monitoring, a prerequisite for adapting the PNNS to rapid changes in supply and behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion to this opinion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The PNNS5 (2025-2030) should establish itself as a <strong>systemic normative framework<\/strong> which goes beyond sectoral logic to establish cross-sectoral regulation of the food environment. By simultaneously mobilising regulatory, fiscal, labelling, catering and monitoring data levers, it redefines the balance of incentives in the French food system. In doing so, it establishes unprecedented consistency between nutritional recommendations, the consumption environment and environmental objectives. Taken together, this creates the conditions for a structural transformation in eating habits, by aligning industrial, distribution and health considerations. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reference<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>HCSP opinion of 10\/06\/2025 :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcsp.fr\/Explore.cgi\/AvisRapportsDomaine?clefr=1445\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Notice page<br><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Recommandations-pour-lelaboration-du-5e-programme-national-nutrition-sante-PNNS.pdf\">Full PDF<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"class_list":["post-775","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}