Healthy eating “becomes a luxury”: a collective demands from Sébastien Lecornu access to 100 healthy foods at cost price

So that healthy eating is no longer “a privilege”. Thirty-seven associations sent an open letter to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu this Wednesday in which they demand “an emergency law” guaranteeing access to one hundred healthy products at cost price.

Under the effect of inflation but also a tendency of “distributors to increase the price of products essential to health”, “the base becomes the variable for adjusting the household budget”. Eating healthily “is becoming a luxury for many”, warn these associations, led by Familles Rurales, Foodwatch, Secours Catholique Caritas France and France Assos Santé.

“Mr Prime Minister, when healthy eating becomes a privilege, the Republic goes backwards”, they write, claiming to have so far “no concrete and satisfactory response” from several ministries on the subject. They demand “a simple and urgent first measure”.

“A very minimal part of the thousands of references marketed”

The collective is therefore asking the head of government for “an emergency law” to guarantee access to one hundred healthy food products, in accordance with the recommendations of the national nutrition and health program. They would be “sold at cost price in all major retailers” throughout France, including overseas.

This measure can be implemented without difficulty by distributors, affirm the associations. It would only concern “a very minimal part of the thousands of references marketed”. Large-scale distribution recognized its responsibility in providing access to quality, accessible food by calling on the State a few months ago to set a course and a clear framework.

Not only would this emergency law not increase the state budget, but it would reduce health spending in the medium term, adds the open letter. And this would not penalize farmers, “whose fair remuneration must be ensured”, the collective further argues.