Mandatory calorie labeling in England’s out-of-home sector has not lowered calorie consumption, according to a new study by the University of Liverpool, UK. Although consumer awareness of calorie labeling doubled during the policy’s implementation in April 2022, only 22% of surveyed consumers reported using the information to make food choices. The researchers surveyed 6,578 customers from 330 outlets, examining their purchased and consumed calories, knowledge of purchased calories and reported noticing and using labeling. Half the participants were surveyed before the policy was implemented, and the remainder in the first four to eight months after its implementation.
