title: Effects of an icon-based menu labelling initiative on consumer food choice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an icon-based menu labelling initiative on consumer buying behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-experimental study recruited a convenience sample of eight food service establishments, all with at least one menu item meeting the heart healthy criteria. Data from sales of all menu items sold over an 8-week period were collated 4 weeks prior to and 4 weeks during the display of information icons related to healthy food choices on menus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absolute change in menu item sales showed a non-significant trend towards an increase in healthier menu item selections. Furthermore, there was no association between the type of food service establishment and the percentage change in labelled menu item sales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study did not find a statistically significant influence of the icon-based menu labels on consumer food choice. Given the limited amount of research that examines alternative menu labelling formats in real-world settings, more studies are necessary to confirm these results. Further research is needed to identify the optimal format, content and impact of menu labels on consumer behaviour.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kerins
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Bariatric Medicine Service, Galway Diabetes Research Centre, HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Francis M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Finucane
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre, Moyola Lane, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland; Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jenni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: food; health behaviours; healthy public policy; menu label; obesity