About Us
Danone France
Danone France is part of Danone, a leading global food and beverage company with a long-standing commitment to improving health through food. With more than a century of history, Danone has developed a strong presence in France, offering products across fresh dairy and plant-based foods, natural mineral waters and specialized nutrition.
Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. In France, this mission is reflected in a broad portfolio of products designed to support consumers at different stages of life while promoting quality, nutrition and responsible food production.
Our History
Danone’s story began in 1919, when Isaac Carasso created the first Danone yogurt in Barcelona. Inspired by research into the potential health benefits of fermented yogurt, he initially sold the product through pharmacies to help children experiencing digestive problems.
Danone expanded into France in 1929 when Daniel Carasso opened the company’s first French store in Paris. The company continued developing its expertise in yogurt and fermented dairy products while combining nutritional benefits with taste and consumer enjoyment.
Over the following decades, Danone expanded its French food business. The acquisition of Gervais in 1967 helped establish Danone as France’s leading fresh dairy group, while the wider BSN business developed strong positions in beverages and infant nutrition.
In 1994, BSN-Gervais adopted the Danone name, bringing the group’s businesses together under the internationally recognised Danone identity.
Our Products
Danone France operates across three major categories:
Fresh Dairy and Plant-Based Products
Danone has more than a century of expertise in dairy products and fermentation and has also become a pioneer in plant-based foods and beverages. Its French portfolio includes products designed for everyday consumption as well as products addressing specific nutritional needs.
Natural Mineral Waters
Danone has a strong position in bottled water through well-known natural mineral water brands. Its French portfolio includes evian®, Volvic and La Salvetat, providing consumers with hydration products from recognised natural mineral water sources.
Specialized Nutrition
Danone also develops specialized nutrition products for different stages and needs in life. This includes infant nutrition as well as medical nutrition designed to support people with specific nutritional requirements.
Our Brands
Danone France has a diverse portfolio of recognised brands across its three main categories.
Its fresh dairy and plant-based portfolio includes Danone, Danette, Danonino, Danacol, Activia, Actimel, Alpro, HiPRO, Les 2 Vaches and Gervita, among others. Its water portfolio includes evian®, Volvic and La Salvetat, while its specialized nutrition activities include established brands serving infants, children and people with specific nutritional needs.
Through these brands, Danone France serves consumers across a wide range of tastes, lifestyles and nutritional needs.
Danone in France
France remains an important market for Danone and a key part of the company’s heritage. Danone France reports 6,500 employees and 25 sites across France, including 13 production sites spread across seven regions. The company also works closely with local agricultural producers and has an established manufacturing presence throughout the country.
Danone states that its products are present in 93% of French households, demonstrating the company’s strong connection with consumers in its home market.
The company’s French operations also contribute to local economies and food production through its network of employees, production facilities, farmers and suppliers.
Quality and Innovation
Research and innovation have been central to Danone’s development since its beginnings. The company continues to invest in nutrition research, scientific expertise and product innovation to better understand consumer and patient needs.
Danone combines scientific knowledge with consumer insights to develop food and beverage products that provide nutritional value while responding to changing eating and drinking habits.
Sustainability
Danone France places sustainability alongside nutrition and business performance. The company works to reduce its environmental impact while developing more responsible approaches to food production, sourcing and resource management.
Its activities include working with farmers on more sustainable agricultural practices, protecting natural resources and supporting biodiversity. Danone also aims to strengthen relationships with local producers and reduce the environmental impact associated with its operations.
B Corp Certification
Danone France has placed a strong emphasis on combining business performance with positive social and environmental impact. Danone France’s specialized nutrition, dairy and plant-based products, and waters and beverages activities are B Corp certified, excluding Danone’s global headquarters.
This certification reflects the company’s commitment to meeting standards relating to social and environmental performance, transparency and responsible business practices.
Our Purpose
Danone’s purpose is “to bring health through food to as many people as possible.” This purpose has been part of the company’s identity for more than a century and continues to guide its approach to products, research, nutrition and sustainability.
In France, this purpose is reflected in the company’s broad range of dairy, plant-based, water and specialized nutrition products, designed to support consumers throughout different stages of life.
Looking to the Future
Danone France continues to build on more than 100 years of experience while adapting to the changing needs of consumers, patients, farmers and communities.
With a strong portfolio of brands, a nationwide manufacturing network, thousands of employees and a continued focus on nutrition, innovation and sustainability, Danone France remains an important part of both France’s food industry and Danone’s global business.
From its origins in yogurt to its modern portfolio spanning dairy, plant-based foods, water and specialized nutrition, Danone continues to pursue its ambition of bringing health through food to as many people as possible.