Calorie Labels in Fast Food Restaurants- Any Impact Yet?

Source: WSJ

After a week of covering infectious diseases consults in the hospital, I am saturated with infectious diseases medicine and am going to break from the ID crowd with this posting.


Here are two interesting and related articles on the impact of mandatory menu-labeling law that took effect in New York City a few years ago. One article is published in the Wall Street Journal, the other in British Medical Journal.


The impact of food labeling in NYC  has not (yet) objectively resulted in significant changes in calorie consumption. 


Could it be that people completely ignore the calorie information? As reported in the British Medical Journal study, in a 2009 survey, 15% (1288/8489) of customers reported using the calorie information, and these customers purchased 106 fewer kilocalories than customers who did not see or use the calorie information (757 v 863 kcal, P<0.001).


Those who read and use the calorie information on fast food menus appear to make a calorie conscious decision on food choices.


I see no reason to conclude that food labeling in NYC restaurants has failed. Even if the impact is small, some benefit is to be gained, with little to no harm, risk or detriment. 


One can only wish that all medical interventions were generally this safe.