Study Reveals England’s Calorie Labelling Rules Fail to Drive Change

A recent study has found that calorie labelling rules introduced in England have not significantly influenced restaurants to alter their menu offerings towards healthier options. Implemented in 2022, these regulations require large restaurants, pubs, cafes, and fast-food establishments to display calorie counts for their food items. Researchers from several universities in the United Kingdom conducted an extensive analysis and concluded that the impact of these rules on population health is minimal.

According to the research published in BMJ Public Health, the average calorie counts on menus decreased by only about 2 percent following the introduction of the policy. This small change indicates a “modest to limited impact on population health,” raising questions about the effectiveness of such measures in combating rising obesity rates.

Despite hopes that calorie labels would encourage consumers to make healthier choices, previous studies have shown little change in eating habits since the policy’s enactment. Frequent dining out is linked to increased obesity, which in turn elevates the risks of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.

Researchers initially speculated that calorie labels might lead restaurants to adopt a “health by stealth” strategy, gradually reducing sugar and salt in their offerings without drawing attention. However, the new study, which analyzed over 31,000 menu items from 78 chains, found that the calorie counts for items sold before and after the policy remained largely unchanged.

Menu Changes and Caloric Impact

The study did reveal some notable variations in calorie counts for specific food categories. Soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages, and burgers saw a reduction in calories, although the overall effect on menu items was limited. Different types of establishments experienced varying degrees of change. Sports and entertainment venues reported the highest calorie reduction at 13.5 percent, followed by pubs at 9 percent and restaurants at 5 percent.

These changes often resulted from the removal of high-calorie items and the introduction of lower-calorie alternatives, but the overall impact remains insufficient to drive significant shifts in consumer health. As the researchers noted, their findings suggest more evidence of menu change rather than substantive reformulation of existing items.

They further argued that calorie labelling policies may prove less effective than other interventions, such as the UK’s soft drink tax, which has prompted manufacturers to reformulate products and reduce sugar content.

Obesity Trends in the UK

These findings come at a critical time as England faces a growing obesity crisis. National health data indicates that approximately 26.5 percent of adults in England are classified as obese, reflecting an upward trend over the past decade. In stark contrast, just 31.3 percent of individuals aged 16 and older meet the recommended guideline of consuming at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily.

The UK government has emphasized that even a modest daily reduction of 50 calories per person could potentially lift around 2 million adults and 340,000 children out of obesity. As the debate continues on effective strategies to address the obesity epidemic, the efficacy of calorie labelling remains under scrutiny, challenging policymakers to consider alternative approaches.