The introduction of calorie labelling has resulted in a small reduction in average kilocalories (kcal) of items available on menus at out-of-home food outlets, latest evidence has indicated.
A new study has found that calorie labelling is associated with a 2% average reduction in energy content of food that is available away from home.
This is thought to be because slightly lower calorie items have been swapped in rather than reformulating existing ones.
However, this reduction will only have a ‘moderate to limited’ effect on population health, experts have said.
- Ultra processed foods linked to more fat gain even with the same calories
- Calorie intake more likely to cause obesity than lack of exercise
- Low calorie diets may increase risk of depression
People who regularly eat at fast food outlets, restaurants and takeaways are at greater risk of poorer dietary quality and obesity.
Since April 2022 in England, large food businesses, with 250+ employees, in the out-of-home sector must display calorie information for non-prepacked foods and soft drinks on menus, online platforms and food labels.
The labelling must include the energy content in kcal and the statement ‘Adults need around 2,000 kcal a day’ to help people make healthier choices when eating out.
According to the authors, the global evidence on how these policies impact what is offered is mixed.
As part of this trial, the team of researchers examined the energy content of 31,045 menu items at 78 chains before and after the introduction of calorie labelling.
By using the Menu Tracker database, they were able to analyse the alterations made to the average energy content (kcal values) of new, removed and continuously available food items.
Menu Tracker provides the most accurate source of menu product and pricing information and analysis on the UK food and drink market.
In the trial, the researchers looked at the menu items at Western fast food and takeout outlets, sports and entertainment venues, restaurants, Asian fast food outlets, cafes and bakeries and pubs, bars and inns.
Throughout the investigation, they looked at a range of food items, such as beverages, pizza, baked goods, fried potatoes, mains, salads, toppings and ingredients, desserts, appetizers and sides, soup, burgers and sandwiches.
They identified a 36 kcal reduction in average energy content for non-alcoholic and soft drinks, 103 kcal for burgers and 30 kcal for mains.
However, the overall reduction of all items was only 9 kcal (2% reduction) in average energy content per item, the findings have shown.
The biggest reductions were seen in pubs, bars, and inns, restaurants and sports and entertainment venues, according to the research.
The continuously available items had an average energy content of 437 kcal before the introduction of calorie labelling and 439 kcal after the law came in.
- Toddlers get half their calories from ultra-processed foods
- Ultra processed foods linked to more fat gain even with the same calories
- Cognitve decline associated with some ultra-processed foods
More than 20% of food items offered at out-of-home food outlets exceed the 600 kcal limit per meal, with these including burgers, mains and pizzas, the study has reported.
The authors said: “We found more evidence of menu change rather than reformulation, with items removed from menus being higher energy than continuous items.
“Thus, the impact of a calorie labelling policy on food may differ from other policies like the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which created an economic incentive for, and was associated with, substantial reformulation.”
They added: “The small reduction in average kcal of items available on menus we found is likely to have a modest to limited impact on population health.
“For these to lead to meaningful population health improvements, consumers would need to shift purchases towards the lower calorie items.”
Read more in the journal BMJ Public Health.
