Overview: What the study examined
A recent study evaluating England’s 2022 policy requiring calorie labels on menus for large restaurants, pubs, cafés, and fast-food spots found that the labeling largely did not prompt widespread healthier reformulation. Researchers analyzed thousands of menu items from dozens of chains to determine how calorie counts shifted after the policy took effect.
The central question was whether calorie labels would push operators to offer lower-calorie options, reformulate recipes, or remove high-energy items from menus. Despite the policy’s intent to curb obesity by informing diners, the study suggests the effect on population health has been modest at best.
Key findings: modest impact on calories
On average, the calorie counts listed on menus dropped by about 2% following the implementation of the rules. That small decline suggests limited influence on what people choose when eating out, especially given the broader obesity context in the country.
When the analysis looked at items that were sold both before and after the policy’s start date, calories remained relatively flat. However, there were notable exceptions: soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages, and burgers showed meaningful reductions in calories.
Further, calorie reductions were not uniform across venues. Sports and entertainment venues recorded the largest decline (13.5%), followed by pubs (9%), then restaurants (5%).
What changed on menus?
The researchers found evidence pointing to menu changes rather than ingredient reformulation. In some cases, high-calorie items were removed from menus or replaced with lower-calorie alternatives. Yet the overall impact was insufficient to drive a large shift in consumer behavior or health outcomes.
In a striking comparison, the study noted that the policy did not spur as much “health by stealth” reformulation as some had predicted. In time, the UK has leaned more on fiscal measures, like soft-drink taxes, to nudge manufacturers toward reducing sugar content in products.
Policy context and health implications
The findings come as England grapples with a rising obesity burden. National health data indicate that about 26.5% of adults in England are classified as obese, signaling ongoing public health challenges. Among those aged 16 and older, just 31.3% report eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily, underscoring gaps in healthy eating habits outside the home as well as inside it.
Public health advocates have long argued that calorie labeling increases awareness and empowers informed choices. The new evidence, however, suggests the policy alone is unlikely to move the needle on obesity rates at the population level unless complemented by broader strategies—such as reformulation incentives, clearer labeling standards, and additional nutrition-focused interventions in the out-of-home sector.
What this means for consumers and restaurants
For diners, calorie labels remain a useful tool for comparing options. But the data imply that many consumers may not consistently opt for lower-calorie choices solely due to labels, particularly when craving taste and convenience drive decisions.
For restaurants, the findings suggest that labeling is a weak lever for large-scale health improvements. Operators may continue to use menu changes selectively—removing high-energy items or adding lower-calorie dishes—yet such adjustments might not be enough to produce broad health gains without additional policy levers or incentives.
Looking ahead: potential improvements
Experts suggest several ways to sharpen the impact of calorie labeling: standardizing calorie displays across chains, offering clear contextual information (e.g., recommended daily calories), pairing labeling with price signals or subsidies for healthier options, and promoting reformulation through industry incentives. A multi-pronged approach is likely needed to translate labeling into meaningful public health benefits.
Bottom line
While calorie labels on menus provide transparency, current evidence indicates they prompt only modest reductions in advertised calories and limited growth in healthier offerings. To meaningfully curb obesity linked to eating out, policymakers may need to combine labeling with more aggressive reformulation incentives, targeted taxes, and consumer education campaigns.
