How Does Calorie Labeling Affect Takeaway Food Choices?

Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/how-does-calorie-labeling-affect-takeaway-food-choices-2025a1000n7s

In April 2022, England introduced a new rule requiring large restaurants and cafes with at least 250 employees to display calorie counts on menus, both in person and online. The goal was simple: give people more information to help them make healthier choices. But does seeing calorie numbers actually change what people order?

What the Study Looked At

Researchers surveyed over 1,000 adults across England to learn how often they order takeaway food, whether they notice calorie labels, and if those labels influence their choices. Most participants were between 35 and 55 years old, and nearly two-thirds had overweight or obesity.

Do People Notice the Labels?

Surprisingly, most participants said they didn’t. Around three out of four reported that the last time they ordered food online, they didn’t notice calorie counts at all. This shows that just adding information to menus doesn’t guarantee people will use it.

Do Labels Change Choices?

For those who did notice the calorie numbers, some behavior changes were seen. About one in four people chose a lower-calorie food item, and a smaller group picked lower-calorie drinks. While this suggests calorie labels can help, most participants were guided by other priorities.

What Really Drives Food Decisions

When it came to ordering, taste was the top factor. Price, delivery time, and portion size also mattered more than health or environmental concerns. In other words, even when calorie labels are available, most people still make choices based on flavor, cost, and convenience.

What Could Work Better?

Experts believe calorie labeling alone isn’t enough. More effective strategies could include using color-coded “traffic light” systems to highlight healthier items, offering smaller portion sizes, or showing how much exercise it would take to burn off a meal. Making healthier options more appealing and easier to choose could also encourage better eating habits.

Bottom Line

Calorie labels can nudge some people toward healthier food and drink, but for most, taste and price matter more. Labels by themselves are unlikely to spark major change, but when combined with other tools, they could play a stronger role in supporting healthier choices.