A Systematic Review of Calorie Labeling and Modified Calorie Labeling Interventions: Impact on Consumer and...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Nutrition Policy

Background:

• Evidence on the impact of restaurant calorie labeling on consumer behavior and restaurant offerings is inconsistent.
• Menu labeling policies aim to inform consumers and potentially influence healthier food choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine consumer responses to calorie information, including modified labels.
• To assess changes in restaurant offerings related to menu labeling implementation.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) up to October 2016.
• Included studies measured calorie intake, orders, or availability in various settings (restaurants, cafeterias, labs).
• Five studies specifically analyzed changes in restaurant offerings.

Main Results:

• Fifty-three studies were reviewed, encompassing real-world restaurants, cafeterias, and laboratory settings.
• Limited evidence suggests menu labeling may reduce calories purchased in some settings, but overall impact on population health remains unclear.
• Modified calorie labels may encourage lower-calorie purchases, but their effectiveness relative to standard labels is uncertain.

Conclusions:

• The effectiveness of menu labeling in promoting healthier choices and its broader public health implications require further investigation due to limitations in study designs.
• While some evidence indicates a reduction in purchased calories, particularly in cafeterias, the overall impact is not definitively established.
• Modified calorie labels show potential but do not consistently outperform standard calorie labels.