Testing Non-Nutrition Menu Labels on Food Selections: A Nationally Representative Online Survey Experiment in Two Fast-Food Restaurants

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of different environmental harm menu labels on the healthfulness of fast-food meal choices among adults in the United States. The study involves a nationally representative sample of 7,000 English-speaking adults who will complete online meal ordering tasks using menus from two types of fast-food restaurants: a burger restaurant and a sandwich restaurant. The goal is to understand how various label designs influence consumer choices and perceptions related to environmental impact and nutrition. Participants will be randomly assigned to view two online menus in random order, each with one of five labeling conditions: a QR code control, low environmental harm labels, high environmental harm labels, traffic light labels indicating environmental harm levels, or environmental grade labels from A to F. Each menu has two pages with main items on the first and sides, desserts, and drinks on the second. Participants must select at least one main item and may choose up to three additional items to create a hypothetical meal order. During the study, participants will answer questions about noticing and using the labels, their perceptions of the labels, and demographic and personal information including food security and dietary patterns. Researchers will measure the healthfulness of meal orders using a modified Nutrient Profile Index score, along with calories, sugar-sweetened beverage selection, and perceived message effectiveness. The study evaluates outcomes immediately upon viewing the menus and completing post-order surveys, providing insights into label effectiveness and consumer behavior.

Testing Non-Nutrition Menu Labels on Food Selections