Menu calorie labeling identified as a relatively low-cost education strategy that may lead consumers to purchase slightly fewer calories.
Long MW, Tobias DK, Cradock AL, Batchelder H, Gortmaker SL. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Restaurant Menu Calorie Labeling. Am J Public Health. 2015 May;105(5):e11-24. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302570. Epub 2015 Mar 19.
A number of studies have examined the relationship between menu calorie labeling and the calories consumers ordered or purchased in a variety of settings with differing results. To get a combined effect estimate for modeling the cost effectiveness of the federal menu labeling policy, CHOICES researcher Dr. Michael Long conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. While the meta-analysis evidence does not support a significant impact on calories ordered, menu calorie labeling is a relatively low-cost education strategy that may lead consumers to purchase slightly fewer calories.