Fast Food Calorie Info Law May Be Making a Dent

Earlier this month, a study examining fast-food consumers in poor NYC neighborhoods found that the city's law requiring chain restaurants to post calorie info might not be making a difference in what people order. Looking at customers' receipts, researchers found that many had actually ordered slightly more calories than the typical customer had before the law went into effect. But a more comprehensive study of the law, released today, tells a different story.

Researchers from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene surveyed more than 10,000 customers at 275 locations of 13 different fast-food and coffee chains throughout the city in the spring of 2007, and over 12,000 in 2009, nearly a year after the requirements began. They found that customers who used the calorie information purchased an average of 754 calories' worth of food at lunch in 2009, while those who didn't see or use the information bought 860 calories' worth of food. Those who saw and used the information consumed 152 fewer calories at hamburger chains, and 73 fewer calories at sandwich chains, compared with other diners.

The overall calories purchased decreased at nine chains between 2007 and 2009, including dropping significantly at McDonald's, Au Bon Pain, KFC and Starbucks. Calorie consumption only rose significantly at one chain, Subway, but the DOH blames that on a huge increase in customers purchasing 12-inch sandwiches rose from 28 percent to 73 percent during the study period. Subway's “$5 Foot-long” advertising campaign may have had an impact, too.

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By John Del Signore in Food on October 27, 2009 2:45 PM

Comments [rss]

RevWaldo

This is kinda the dark side of the whole "grab a sorta related picture at random and slap it up with the article" policy. How old is this picture? Who's the kid? Did anyone get a release? Anyone wonder what the kid might think of his photo being plastered around the internet, usually in a mocking context, especially now that he's probably started school? And not posted by some troll either, but by a "reputable" web site with editors 'n advertisers 'n everything?

Spirit of 76

Hmm. So the Daily Mail has no editors or advertisers? Interesting.

valeriob

Sorry had to

yamon

Around the wrists I'm noticing it looks like a sleeve, and notice the skin color...it's all uniform. Methinks a costume/fat suit. Still a great pic whether real or not

ckl

That's a real picture, it first started shooting around the internet with an AP article some years ago, I believe. No luck finding it, though.

ProcedureTurn

yikes. its NOT REAL. Look at the wrist section. His hand and arm dont connect properly. Take a minute to examine the connections near his neck and wrist, ppl.

geeez...I shiver at the naivety around here.

Spirit of 76

Actually from an article in the Daily Mail, the UK's second-biggest newspaper. They may be England's answer to the Post or maybe the Daily News, but even the Post wouldn't use a doctored photo of dubious origin.

ProcedureTurn

I think the kid is wearigna fat suit. look closely at the rolls of fat on his arm. that CANT be real.

Spirit of 76

Have you ever seen how skin folds in adults who are fat? Believe me, it's real. Compare him with the kid next to him. Notice how much fuller his cheeks, chin, neck, hands and fingers are. If somebody made up a fat suit for him, they must have gone through a hell of a lot of trouble to make latex prosthetic appliances for his face and hands.

dbc

The survey overlooks consumers who no longer eat fast food as a result of the calorie postings (i.e. those that may be part of the 2007 study group but weren't at McDonald's/KFC/etc. to take part in the 2009 study).

The calorie disclosure requirement isn't just directed at low income people. I'd pick up a pastry every now and then at Starbucks, until I learned that what I figured was ~250 calories was closer to 500. Now I stick with coffee and a piece of fruit.

meechybee

I love, love, love this law -- it should be nation-wide.

In my unofficial survey of ONE (me), it has made a huge impact on what and where I eat. In fact, I've even noticed a few chains reducing the calories in their dishes (thank you Pret, Starbucks, and Cheesecake Factory) or portion sizes (McD, and all other fast foodies) since the law took effect. (One of my colleagues hasn't touched an apple fritter since.)

Putting this information front and center is what we NEED in order to make choices on our health. Now if only they would add calories to alcohol, I'd have complete control.

reader6

I agree! I definitely look at the calorie info and make decisions based on them.

valeriob

You gonna eat that stapler?

Bike Rider

--wanna split it? :P

Bike Rider

since when are the Michelin man and McDonald's advertising together?

NannyState

Since the new Michelin Guides came out. "McDo" lost a star for "Failure to maintain hot holding temp, towels in employee handwash sink, and huge German Shepard-sized rodent found in walk in cooler."

Bike Rider

this picture could have the power to change lives

Shinobi Shaw

These guidelines are not going to change anything, because it's really a Lifestyle choice.

If you want to be healthy you have to make it a Lifestyle and not just a fad diet and routine exercise.

So in otherwords you must be conscious of what you're eating!

maryjr

That picture is starting to look fake. If not, please don't post it anymore. Yuck! What's the matter with his parents?

hotstepper

fat.

rhonda718

This is bogus science. Is there a control group for comparison?

The people who "used the calorie information" might very well be the same diet-conscious people who were ordering salads and unloaded baked potatos to begin with...

I'm not saying this isn't a good law. More information is better for everyone, but this study proves nothing.

reader6

It sounds like a cross-sectional study. Perfectly valid.

hotstepper

umm, isn't this study a conflict of interest? the health department enacted these guidelines and now (predictably) they are saying "hey guys, our idea is working great!"

p.s. duck! baby huey is gonna blow!

JacqueMehoff

Yea! my favorite pic!

now put him on one of those springy playground horses.

that is in America, right?

because that looks like a NASCAR inspired hat.

timThompson

I think it's in the US. Look at the writing in the top left.

timThompson

oops. I *don't* think it's in the US.

airtech1

That kid should be in the next Ghostbusters as Stay Puft Marshmallow Man's long-lost boy.

valeriob

This kid is making a dent. In the floor. And on the sidewalk.

felixthecat2

This is why I refused to enter a McDonald or KFC to even use their bathroom, the customers are just disgusting. I wish they have mirrors in front of themselves as they ate that crap. They look and smell disgusting.