The role of dietary intake in the development of chronic diseases (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis) makes monitoring these factors essential. In 2001, France launched the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS), which aims to address nutrition to reduce the burden of these diseases. Its evaluation was entrusted to the Unit for Nutritional Surveillance and Epidemiology (USEN, InVS - CNAM) in collaboration with other institutions. This report describes the dietary intakes of the French population over the 1997–2003 period based on available data. Data were compiled from statistical institutes (INSEE, FAO, etc.) and major epidemiological studies collecting dietary data (Suvimax, INCA, Baromètre Santé Nutrition, etc.). Statistical data show little change in availability over this period, except for a few specific food groups (frozen vegetables, certain dairy products, etc.). Epidemiological data show that most of the PNNS consumption benchmarks and recommended nutrient intakes are not met by the adult and child populations. Changes in line with the PNNS objectives are sometimes observed, but there is insufficient historical data to confirm these trends. These data will be updated regularly and supplemented by a description of the population’s nutritional status. (R.A.)