Calorie Label Formats: Using Numeric and Traffic Light Calorie Labels to Reduce Lunch Calories

• DOI: 10.1509/jppm.14.112
• Publication Date: 2015-07-02T22:38:23Z
• Authors: Eric M. VanEpps; Julie S. Downs; George Loewenstein
• Keywords: Calorie; Nutrition facts label; Caloric intake

In a field experiment involving online workplace lunch orders, this study examines the impact of numeric and traffic light calorie labels on intake. Employees large corporation ordered lunches through website authors’ design, which they were presented menus with labels, or both together, authors compared content that diners randomized to receive no information. Each label type reduced calories by approximately 10%. Nutrition knowledge was not improved any menu format. Traffic achieved meaningful reductions in even absence information, found apparent benefit detriment combining types. These findings suggest consumers may most from help identifying relatively healthier choices but rely little information about exact caloric items.