Monitoring the processed food supply: the Food Observatory (Oqali)

The Observatoire de l’Alimentation (Oqali) is responsible for the overall monitoring of the supply of processed foods on the French market, measuring changes in their nutritional quality and providing information on their labelling.

A tool to support national food policy

Set up in 2008, Oqali is a joint initiative of INRAE and Anses, commissioned by the Ministries of Food, Health and Consumer Affairs. Its implementation has been entrusted to INRAE and the Anses and formalised in a framework agreement.

Oqali’s role is to inform public authorities and economic stakeholders about changes in the food supply as part of national nutrition and food policies, particularly within the framework of the National Nutrition and Health Programme (PNNS) and the National Food Programme (PNA).

Monitoring and analysis

The observatory monitors changes in the nutritional quality of various categories of processed products and analyses the information on their labels. It carries out sectoral and cross-sectoral studies, examining data from different food sectors.

The Oqali is also responsible for monitoring the rollout of the Nutri-Score, a simplified nutritional labelling system designed to inform consumers about the nutritional quality of food products.

The observatory also measures the impact of voluntary approaches to collective commitment to nutritional progress by economic players.

The results of the Oqali’s various studies are used to guide the public authorities in their efforts to improve the food supply, whether through incentives or regulatory measures.

It works with a range of partners including inter-professional organisations, manufacturers and distributors, who provide information on products, as well as consumer associations.