A new bill seeks to ensure healthy foods are sold at cost price, echoing earlier proposals and facing scrutiny by the Senate.
New food pricing bill introduced
Senator Antoinette Guhl, an ecologist, has introduced a bill that would require large retailers to sell a range of healthy food products at cost price, without their usual profit margin. The goal is to make healthier food more affordable for consumers.Previous similar proposal stalled
A similar proposal was introduced earlier this year by ecologist deputy Boris Tavernier on July 23, but it did not pass through the National Assembly. The current bill will be reviewed by the Senate on October 22.Focus on healthy food products
The proposed legislation would apply to a selection of healthy products, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and organic goods. This list would be determined by government decree and would include at least 80 different items.Criticism of retail pricing practices
The bill is supported by findings from a Senate inquiry committee, which criticized how some retailers use high profit margins on ultra-processed foods to subsidize healthier products. These practices were described as "predatory" in the committee's report.Intermarché launches price reduction campaign
Intermarché, a major supermarket chain, announced on October 16 a campaign called "Our Purchasing Power Program," aimed at reducing prices on a wide range of products. This campaign is similar to a previous initiative from 2022-2023 known as "The 500 anti-inflation products."Details of price reductions
The campaign includes price reductions of 5 to 13% on up to 5,000 product references, covering both national brands and the retailer's own brands. The number of products affected may vary by store type, with up to 3,000 products in smaller stores and up to 5,000 in larger supermarkets and hypermarkets.Examples of discounted products
Some of the products included in the price reductions are the 50 cl Bouton d'Or olive oil, which will decrease by 13%, the 500 g Torti Panzani pasta by 9%, and the 1 liter Tropicana orange juice by 5%. Intermarché claims the price reductions could reach up to 15% in some cases.Comparison to cost pricing proposals
While these price reductions are considered relatively moderate, products sold at cost priceâwithout any profit marginâwould be even cheaper, aligning more closely with the goals of the proposed legislation.
