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Despite Parmentier's attempts to gain traction for potatoes, the resistance was fierce. Prominent economists and religious figures denounced potatoes, asserting that they caused health issues and were not sanctioned by the Bible. Yet Parmentier persisted, initially gaining some traction after a series of unfortunate harvests pushed the populace to reconsider various food sources.

His efforts bore fruit when, in 1772, the Paris Faculty of Medicine reluctantly declared potatoes safe for consumption. Although legal, they still lacked popularity, and Parmentier faced an uphill task ahead. Dining events featuring elaborate multi-course meals showcasing potatoes helped change perceptions, as elite guests, including the American diplomat Benjamin Franklin, left impressed by the versatile tuber.