Researchers at New York University found that a decreasing number of consumers were noticing the calorie count information posted on fast-food menus, compared to 2008, when it became a requirement for restaurants to display the numbers on menu boards.
"Our study suggests that menu labeling, in particular at fast-food restaurants, will not on its own lead to any lasting reductions in calories consumed," said Dr. Brian Elbel, a researcher at NYU's Langone Medical Center, in a press release.
New York University researchers wanted to find out if posting calorie counts had an effect on consumers.
According to UPI.com, researchers surveyed restaurant customers from four fast-food chains (McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, and Burger King) in 2008 and found roughly half noticed the calorie counts and just one in 10 customers were influenced to opt for lower-calorie food.
The new survey found that in 2013, 45 percent of respondents said they noticed the calorie counts, a six-point drop from 2008.
Six months later, surveys showed 41 percent noticed them.
In 2014, the percentage of consumers noticing calorie information dropped to 37 percent.
"People are at least reading the information, some are even using it," Elbel said. "Labels may yet work at non-fast-food, family-style restaurant chains, or for specific groups of people with a greater need than most to consume fewer calories and eat more healthily. We will have to wait and see, while continuing to monitor and analyze the policy's impact."
New York City required fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, and Burger King to include caloric information on menu boards at their locations in 2008.
Beginning in December 2016, chain restaurants and certain other retailers that sell prepared food will have to list calorie content on their menus.
