Polden, Megan and Jones, Andrew and Essman, Michael and Adams, Jean and Bishop, Tom and Burgoine, Thomas and Donohue, Aisling and Sharp, Stephen and White, Martin and Smith, Richard and Robinson, Eric (2024) Point-of-choice kilocalorie labelling practices in large, out-of-home food businesses : a preobservational versus post observational study of labelling practices following implementation of The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021. BMJ Open, 14 (4): e080405. ISSN 2044-6055
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Background and objectives: On 6 April 2022, the UK government implemented mandatory kilocalorie (kcal) labelling regulations for food and drink products sold in the out-of-home food sector (OHFS) in England. Previous assessments of kcal labelling practices in the UK OHFS found a low prevalence of voluntary implementation and poor compliance with labelling recommendations. This study aimed to examine changes in labelling practices preimplementation versus post implementation of mandatory labelling regulations in 2022. Methods: In August–December 2021 (preimplementation) and August–November 2022 (post implementation), large OHFS businesses (250 or more employees) subject to labelling regulations were visited. At two time points, a researcher visited the same 117 food outlets (belonging to 90 unique businesses) across four local authorities in England. Outlets were rated for compliance with government regulations for whether kcal labelling was provided at any or all point of choice, provided for all eligible food and drink items, provided per portion for sharing items, if labelling was clear and legible and if kcal reference information was displayed. Results: There was a significant increase (21% preimplementation vs 80% post implementation, OR=40.98 (95% CI 8.08 to 207.74), p