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The Way Calories Are Displayed on Restaurant Menus May Not Affect Calorie Intake: Evidence from an Online Experiment
Riccardo Migliavada1, Michele Ricci1, Giulia Garavelli1
1University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy.
Nutrients
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Menu calorie labeling policies, including Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent (PACE) labels and Percent Daily Intake (PDI) charts, did not significantly alter food choices in an Italian online survey. Individual factors like age and dietary habits were more influential than labeling format alone.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Behavioral Economics
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Menu calorie labeling aims to guide healthier eating, but effectiveness is debated.
- Alternative qualitative labels like PACE and PDI charts are proposed to improve comprehension.
- Previous research on labeling effectiveness shows mixed results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of numeric calorie labels, PACE labels, and PDI pie charts on food choices.
- To evaluate if alternative labeling formats influence consumer decision-making in an online setting.
- To identify factors moderating the impact of calorie labeling on meal selection.
Main Methods:
- Nationwide online survey with 885 Italian participants.
- Random assignment to three menu conditions: numeric calories only, numeric + PACE, or numeric + PDI.
- Analysis of sociodemographic, dietary, BMI, nutritional knowledge, and psychological data.
Main Results:
- Neither PACE labels nor PDI pie charts significantly altered total calorie selection compared to numeric labels alone.
- No significant interactions were found between labeling format and gender or nutritional knowledge.
- Age, BMI, dietary habits, and restrained eating scores significantly influenced calorie choices.
Conclusions:
- Alternative calorie labeling formats alone may be insufficient to change food choices in online environments.
- Future interventions should combine labeling with motivational and educational strategies.
- Personalized approaches considering individual traits and habits are crucial for effective dietary interventions.
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