Restaurant Salt Warnings Boost Healthier Choices
New study reveals menu alerts significantly impact diner decisions.
Clear warnings about high salt content on restaurant menus are proving effective in guiding consumers toward healthier meal selections, according to initial research findings.
Menu Labels Show Real Impact
A pioneering study, published in The Lancet Public Health, indicates that consumers in the UK are influenced by salt advisories, leading them to avoid dishes exceeding half the daily recommended salt intake of 6g.
Researchers from the University of Liverpool conducted trials demonstrating that these menu alerts can discourage the selection of high-salt items. In an online experiment involving 2,391 UK adults, the labels were perceived as effective.
A real-world trial at a Liverpool eatery with 454 participants further supported these findings. The labelled menus heightened awareness of salt levels during ordering, contributing to a notable reduction in salt consumption per meal.
Expert Endorsement for Public Health
Dr. Rebecca Evans, the study’s lead author, highlighted the significance of these findings. “Our study has found that salt warning labels on menus help people make healthier choices,” she stated.
“Given that excess salt intake is a leading cause of diet-related disease, this kind of labelling policy could play a vital role in improving population health. This study demonstrates that even small nudges at the point of purchase can encourage healthier choices.”
—Dr. Rebecca Evans, Lead Author
The research team emphasized that their work represents the first global real-world randomized controlled trial to assess salt labelling within a full-service restaurant setting.
Call for Wider Policy Implementation
Sonia Pombo, from Action on Salt, welcomed the study’s contribution to a growing body of evidence. “This important new study adds to the growing evidence that clear and visible salt warning labels on menus can positively influence consumer choices and reduce salt intake,” she commented.
“Eating out is no longer an occasional indulgence – it’s a routine part of daily life. Yet many meals are loaded with salt, often without our knowledge or consent. If we’re serious about protecting public health and saving lives, salt reduction must be front and centre of the UK’s food policy agenda.”
—Sonia Pombo, Action on Salt
The effectiveness of the labels remained consistent across various demographics, including age, gender, and education level, in both trial settings. This suggests a broad appeal for such public health interventions.
Globally, initiatives to combat high sodium intake are gaining traction. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended voluntary sodium reduction targets for restaurants and foodservice companies, aiming to lower average sodium intake among Americans, which currently stands at over 3,400 mg per day, well above the recommended 2,300 mg daily limit (FDA).
