Health. Supermarket promotions are too fatty, too sweet, and too salty.

The products on sale in supermarkets never include healthy products, i.e., those whose consumption should increase according to the National Nutrition and Health Program. This is true for 90% of them, according to a survey conducted by seven associations (Foodwatch France, the Climate Action Network, France Assos Santé, the French Federation of Diabetics, the Confédération Syndicale des Familles (CSF), the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF), and the National Collective of Obese Associations (CNAO)).

In total, 4,726 promotions (2 + 1 free, promotional lots) were examined in the Carrefour, Coopérative U, E. Leclerc, Intermarché, Lidl stores. And the majority of them concern products that are too fatty, too sweet, too salty and ultra-processed .

Buy more, without spending less

In detail, these products, whose consumption should instead be reduced, concern 66% of products on sale. These include biscuits, sugary drinks, and cold cuts, in particular. "Too many promotions encourage overconsumption by buying in large quantities, since 40% of promotions offer bulk purchases or '2+1 free' for products that should be severely limited according to health recommendations," the associations note in a joint press release.

22% of price cuts concern products whose consumption is neither to be increased nor reduced. Finally, only 12% of promotions apply to products that the French do not consume enough , such as fruits, vegetables and legumes. However, according to a 2022 survey, 3 out of 5 consumers admit to being influenced by promotions in their purchasing decisions.

Health sold off at the top of the gondola

The associations also demand that retailers increase by at least 50% the share of promotions on products whose consumption should be increased according to the National Nutrition and Health Program: fruits and vegetables, dried vegetables, unsalted nuts, whole grains, rapeseed, walnut, and olive oils. They also advocate for a 10% increase in organic products, with the exception of ultra-processed ones. Consumers also seem convinced, since, according to a Climate Action Network survey from March 2025, 88% say they are in favor of retailers offering promotions primarily on healthy foods.

Let us remember that diet is one of the main modifiable factors involved in non-communicable diseases in industrialized countries. Obesity, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes... Globally, an unbalanced diet (according to nutritional issues that differ greatly between high- and low-income countries) is one of the main risk factors for mortality, with approximately 1 in 5 deaths. "With their promotional practices, distributors are going against public health recommendations, consumer expectations and the challenges of more sustainable consumption," the associations denounce.

"When we play on presentation and price, we change behavior; studies show it," says Professor Daniel Nizri, president of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS). "We must reclaim public health levers with positive marketing strategies, so it's interesting to tackle the issue of promotions to demand not their disappearance but that they promote products that are good for health and the environment."

A petition is online to challenge the leaders of major brands, available here .