Few Food Patrons Access The Nutrition Information At Fast-food Chains

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 22 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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A new study shows that only a low percentage of patrons currently access the nutritional information at a select group of fast-food restaurants, suggesting a more prominent display of nutritional content may be needed.

Researchers set out to determine how frequently consumers accessed on-premises nutrition information provided at chain restaurants, including McDonald's, Burger King, Au Bon Pain and Starbucks, in both urban and suburban locations. They measured this through an observational study by counting the number of patrons entering the restaurants and accessing nutrition information. Of the 4,311 patrons, only 6 (0.1 percent) accessed the on-premises nutrition information before purchasing their food.

"Our results indicate that if on-premises nutrition information is to affect customers' purchasing behaviors, it must be displayed in a highly visible place such as on a menu board," claimed the study's authors.

"An Observational Study of Consumers' Accessing of Nutrition Information in Chain Restaurants"

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly Journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

American Journal of Public Health

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