Calorie labels on restaurant and takeaway food were introduced by the government in 2022 to combat obesity. However, a recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour revealed that these labels did not have a significant impact on how many calories people consumed. The study surveyed over 6,000 individuals who purchased food from various outlets and found that the calorie labels did not change their eating habits.
Despite not affecting calorie consumption, the labels did increase people’s awareness of the number of calories in their food. Dr. Megan Polden from the University of Liverpool, who conducted the study, mentioned that while calorie labeling alone may not lead to significant changes in eating behavior, there could be other factors at play. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, where individuals may have had a more indulgent mindset.
Interestingly, only 15% of the companies surveyed had fully implemented the labeling policy, and 20% had not implemented it at all. This lack of full compliance could have impacted the effectiveness of the labels. However, a separate study, pending peer review, indicated that food outlets did remove high-calorie items from their menus and introduced lower-calorie options as a result of the labeling.
Dr. Polden suggested that a combination of improved business compliance and public education could lead to healthier consumer choices. It is important to note that the Department of Health and Social Care is funding research to assess the impact of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders, with expected findings in October 2025. The government is actively working to address the obesity crisis through various measures, such as restricting junk food advertising and limiting fast food access for school children.
The study findings have raised concerns among eating disorder charities like Beat, which have criticized the policy as damaging and ineffective. Calorie labeling can exacerbate anxiety and stress in individuals with eating disorders, leading to harmful behaviors. Beat’s director of external affairs, Tom Quinn, emphasized the negative impact of these labels on people’s mental health and called for the government to reconsider the policy.
In conclusion, while calorie labels on menus may not directly reduce calorie consumption, they have increased awareness about food content. Further research and efforts to improve compliance and public education could enhance the effectiveness of these labels in promoting healthier food choices.
