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Evaluating the association between the introduction of mandatory calorie labelling and energy consumed using observational data from the out-of-home food sector in England

Author

Listed:
  • Megan Polden

    (University of Liverpool
    North West Coast
    Health Research)

  • Andrew Jones

    (Liverpool John Moores University)

  • Michael Essman

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Jean Adams

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Tom R. P. Bishop

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Thomas Burgoine

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Stephen J. Sharp

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Martin White

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Richard Smith

    (University of Exeter)

  • Aisling Donohue

    (Liverpool John Moores University)

  • Rozemarijn Witkam

    (University of Liverpool)

  • I. Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Jane Brealey

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Eric Robinson

    (University of Liverpool)

Abstract

In April 2022, mandatory kilocalorie (kcal) labelling in the out-of-home food sector was introduced as a policy to reduce obesity in England. Here we examined whether the implementation of this policy was associated with a consumer behaviour change. Large out-of-home food sector outlets subject to kcal labelling legislation were visited pre- and post-implementation, and customer exit surveys were conducted with 6,578 customers from 330 outlets. Kcals purchased and consumed, knowledge of purchased kcals and reported noticing and use of kcal labelling were examined. The results suggested that the introduction of the mandatory kcal labelling policy in England was not associated with a significant decrease in self-reported kcals purchased (B = 11.31, P = 0.564, 95% confidence interval (CI) −27.15 to 49.77) or consumed (B = 18.51, P = 0.279, 95% CI −15.01 to 38 52.03). Post-implementation, participants underestimated the energy content of their purchased meal less (B = 61.21, P = 0.002, 95% CI 21.57 to 100.86) and were more likely to report noticing (odds ratio 2.25, P

Suggested Citation

  • Megan Polden & Andrew Jones & Michael Essman & Jean Adams & Tom R. P. Bishop & Thomas Burgoine & Stephen J. Sharp & Martin White & Richard Smith & Aisling Donohue & Rozemarijn Witkam & I. Gusti Ngurah, 2025. "Evaluating the association between the introduction of mandatory calorie labelling and energy consumed using observational data from the out-of-home food sector in England," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(2), pages 277-286, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:9:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1038_s41562-024-02032-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02032-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Long, M.W. & Tobias, D.K. & Cradock, A.L. & Batchelder, H. & Gortmaker, S.L., 2015. "Systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of restaurant menu calorie labeling," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(5), pages 11-24.
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