The quality of the food available to the population significantly influences healthy eating. Public policies play an essential role in achieving healthier food environments in both commercial settings (e.g., grocery stores) and non-commercial settings (e.g., institutional foodservices). Science can contribute to providing objective data to support the development and evaluation of such policies. The Food Quality Observatory (Observatory) was established in 2016 in Quebec (Canada), to address such needs. Within the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods at Université Laval, the Observatory is an independent scientific group whose mission is to collect and analyse rigorous data on the food supply with the aim of improving its quality and accessibility. Science-based tools and methodologies are also developed to assess and monitor the quality of the food available in different settings. The Observatory's work aligns with the needs of policymakers in the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation, and the ministère de l’Éducation of Québec. The aim of this session is to describe the Observatory’s contribution in two main research areas: 1) the relevance of nutrient profiling to support consumers in purchasing more nutritious foods, and 2) the development and validation of tools to evaluate and monitor food quality in healthcare and to support professionals in their decision-making towards improved food quality. The session will also address how the Observatory contributes to ensuring that the public health, agricultural and economic policies align with the goal of improving overall food quality.
Véronique Provencher (RD, PhD) is a Full Professor at the School of Nutrition at Université Laval and a researcher at the Centre Nutrition, santé et Société (NUTRISS - Leader of Axis 3 – Nutrition et Société) and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF). Dr. Provencher is a registered dietitian and a member of the Ordre des diététistes nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ). She earned MSc and PhD degrees at Université Laval before undertaking postdoctoral research in psychology at the University of Toronto. Since the beginning of her career, she has been awarded several research grants, published more than a hundred publications in high-impact journals, and is renowned for her work in public health nutrition. She is actively involved in the Food Quality Observatory as the Scientific Director where she studied issues related to the food environment. Her innovative research program focuses on psychological and behavioural factors related to food choices and intake. The main aim of her research is to support the development of new public health practices and policies that promote healthy eating in a sustainable way.