15 August, 2025 – Predicting food trends in France calls for looking at how the French consume food and beverage products and how various factors impact consumption of 39 different food and beverage categories in France. These categories include beverages, staple food items, products for meal preparation, snacks and treats, special diets, and plant-based eating. It is important to look at these drivers in order to spot future opportunities. Innova Market Insights evaluates food trends in France using consumer trends research from its Innova Category Report 2025.
Macro Forces Affecting French Consumer Food Trends
Global macro forces impact French consumer food trends. The top force is the environment. European consumers name health of the planet at their top issue of concern. They recognize the impact of climate change on factors such as the economy, health, and food security. Companies and consumers are actively adapting to climate change. Another impactful force in Europe is political instability. Events that create uncertainty include the war in Ukraine, national elections in Germany and France, and deteriorating relationships between European countries and the US. Additional concerns include terrorism, immigration, and job and economic uncertainty.
European consumers, including French consumers, worry about national security, personal security, and financial security. Affordable housing can be hard to find. Healthy, nutritious food can be expensive. Because of all these stresses, consumers in France need security, reassurance that everything will be okay, honesty, and transparency. Technology provides a ray of hope around innovation to solve key issues and to provide consumers with tools to improve their work, their health, and entertainment options.
Drivers of Consumer Behavior Around Food and Beverage in France
Clean label is a solid driver that builds trust. French consumers respond to products that are clean label, natural, and safe. Claims that resonate most include no artificial flavors or colors along with the opposite – real ingredients and natural. These claims are especially powerful in beverages. French consumers sense authenticity in products with claims such as non-GMO, organic, and free of palm oil. Food trends in France show that product safety strongly drives purchases among consumers.
Taste and flavor also impact choice among French consumers. It is the strongest driver of purchases of a variety of categories, including bread, dairy, breakfast cereals, snacks, and soft drinks. After taste and flavor, product cost, freshness, and brand reputation matter. Additional influences include changes in the preferences of French consumers, shifts in their lifestyle, and health claims.
Nutrition benefits are important to French consumers. Claims that resonate, especially in cereals, bars, and iced tea, include reduced sugar, reduced fat, high in or source of protein or fiber, and plant-based. Other claims appealing to French consumers, depending on product category, are cold-pressed, caffeine-free claims, source of omega-3 and omega-6, vitamin and mineral fortified, and functional.
French consumers are drawn to products that are traditional, authentic, and locally sourced. Claims regarding traditionally made and hand-crafted stand out, and French consumers prefer products that are local and traceable because this connotes authenticity.
French Consumer Trends Around Beverages
French consumer trends research participants have reduced their intake of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They prefer soft drinks that support health and clean label in flavors they like. Real and natural ingredients and traditional crafting drive preference in hot drinks.
Preferences Regarding Staples and Treats
Bread and breakfast cereals, staple food choices in France, are chosen based on taste and flavor, price, freshness, and brand. Food trends in France show that taste and flavor are important in dairy, as are real and natural ingredients in products that are traditionally made. For meat and fish, protein claims, omega-3/6 fatty acid claims, and local sourcing capture the attention of the French consumer. Of course, taste and flavor matter in staples, snacks, and treats. Claims that are important across categories are traditionally made and crafted, taste and flavor, clean label, and palm oil-free.
French Consumer Health Concerns Drive Plant-Based and Special Diets
French consumers are demanding more foods to support plant-based and special diets, which are linked to health claims. In the French food industry, consumer priorities include taste and flavor, health benefits, freshness, and cost. Sports nutrition incorporates foods with specific functional claims, and fitness and health benefits are important.
What’s Next for Food Trends in France?
Several product features can be the driver of French food trends in the future. Products that are natural, safe, and clean label, as well as safe and transparent, will resonate with French consumers. Claims regarding no artificial flavors or colors, real ingredients, non-GMO, organic, and palm oil-free can attract attention from French consumers. Build the trust of French consumers with claims about safety and functional benefits. Taste and flavor always are essential. Products for the French consumer can innovate on taste paired with quality and freshness. Other important features are cost and brand reputation. Combining these features can boost the interest level of the French consumer, whether looking for indulgent or healthy products. Nutritional benefits always are important, especially around reduced sugar, higher fiber, and more protein in everyday products. Fortified products with noticeable health benefits may be embraced by the French consumer. French consumers also prefer food and beverage products that are authentic, prepared traditionally, and locally or regionally sourced. This is especially true for bakery, dairy, and spreads.
This article is based on Innova’s Category Growth Drivers in France report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more