Cited by 125Consumer Attitudes and Food LabelingNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorGlobal Public Health Policies and Epidemiology

Consumer Awareness of Fast-Food Calorie Information in New York City After Implementation of a Menu Labeling Regulation

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Dumanovsky, Tamara, Huang, Christina Y., Bassett, Mary T., Silver, Lynn D.·2010·American Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives. We assessed consumer awareness of menu calorie information at fast-food chains after the introduction of New York City's health code regulation requiring these chains to display food-item calories on menus and menu boards. Methods. At 45 restaurants representing the 15 largest fast-food chains in the city, we conducted cross-sectional surveys 3 months before and 3 months after enforcement began. At both time points, customers were asked if they had seen calorie information and, if so, whether it had affected their purchase. Data were weighted to the number of city locations for each chain. Results. We collected 1188 surveys pre-enforcement and 1229 surveys postenforcement. Before enforcement, 25% of customers reported seeing calorie information; postenforcement, this figure rose to 64% (P < .001; 38% and 72%, weighted). Among customers who saw calorie information postenforcement, 27% said they used the information, which represents a 2-fold increase in the percentage of customers making calorie-informed choices (10% vs 20%, weighted; P < .001). Conclusions. Posting calorie information on menu boards increases the number of people who see and use this information. Since enforcement of New York's calorie labeling regulation began, approximately 1 million New York adults have seen calorie information each day.

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  • Posting of caloric information for foods and beverages on menu boards of New York City fast-food restaurants was associated with increased self-reported awareness of calorie information but did not affect average calorie consumption by patrons of these restaurants in low-income areas of New York City when compared with either pre-menu labeling or control areas in Newark, New Jersey.

    “Similarly, posting of caloric information for foods and beverages on menu boards of New York City fast-food restaurants was associated with increased self-reported awareness of calorie information115 but did not affect average calorie consumption by patrons of these restaurants in low-income areas of New York City when compared with either pre-menu labeling or control areas in Newark, New Jersey.”
  • In observational analyses, customers who report seeing and using posted calorie information purchase fewer total calories than other customers, although such findings can be limited by reverse causation.

    “In observational analyses, customers who report seeing and using posted calorie information purchase fewer total calories than other customers,114,115 although such findings can be limited by reverse causation”

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  1. [13]Backstrand J, Wootan MG, Young LR, Hurley J. Fat Chance. Washington, DC: Center for Science in the Public Interest; 1997 [[Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Fat%20Chance&author=J%20Backstrand&author=MG%20Wootan&author=LR%20Young&author=J%20Hurley&publication_year=1997&)]

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Authors
Dumanovsky, T., Huang, C. Y., Bassett, M. T., & Silver, L. D.
Affiliations
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (US)
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Published
2010-12
Volume
100
Issue
12
Pages
2520-2525
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
OpenAlex
W2057752156
Cited by
125
References
18
Citations by year
2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 11
FWCI
14.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
Keywords
menu labeling, calorie information, fast food restaurants, consumer awareness, New York City, food labeling policy, restaurant menus
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Energy Intake, Choice Behavior, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Food Labeling, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Menu Planning, Middle Aged, New York City, Restaurants, Consumer Health Information, Young Adult, Fast Foods

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