Could be more, but not off to a bad start!
In the first report since New York City required restaurants to list calorie counts on menus in 2008, a study found one in six customers are noticing and buying foods with fewer calories.
The report looked at receipts at 11 fast food restaurant chains for more than 7,300 people 12 months before the law took effect, then nearly 8,500 customers nine months after it was implemented.
Dr. Lynn Silver, director of New York City’s Office of Science and Policy and co-author of the report, said:
“We think, overall, these initial findings are positive. We’re optimistic, as calorie labels go national, and consumers become accustomed to using the information that chains will have a strong incentive to offer lower calorie options.”
Unfortunately, the overall calorie consumption for people tracked did not change, however customers bought an average of 44 fewer calories at McDonald’s, 80 fewer calories at Au Bon Pain and 59 fewer calories at KFC.
We agree that, although small, these results are a sign of a healthy change that will eventually sweep the nation. Calorie counting is relatively new to most consumers so we hope as more restaurants display calorie information and sell healthier options, more customers will take into account what they are putting into their body.
[Image via AP Images.]
