The Impact of Information Disclosure on Consumer Behavior

Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment of Calorie Labels on Restaurant Menus

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11680403
AutoresJohn Cawley (0000-0002-4805-9883, Policy Analysis (United States), autor de correspondencia), Alex M Susskind (0000-0002-4077-9667, Universität Hamburg), Alex Susskind, Barton Willage (0000-0003-0032-0648, Universität Hamburg)
Año2020
Volumen39
Número4
Páginas1020-1042
Fecha de publicación2020-04-28
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Policy Analysis and Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0276-8739 • E-ISSN: 1520-6688
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/pam.22219
OpenAlexW2887945798
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas11
Referencias citadas47

In 2018, the U.S. adopted a nationwide law requiring that chain restaurants post calorie counts on their menus and menu boards. This has led to considerable interest in the extent to which providing calorie information leads consumers to choose healthier diets. To estimate the impact of calorie labeling, we conducted a randomized controlled field experiment in two full‐service restaurants, in which the control group received menus without calorie counts and the treatment group received the same menus but with calorie counts. We estimate that the calorie labels resulted in a 3.0 percent reduction in calories ordered, with the reduction occurring in appetizers and entrées but not drinks or desserts. Exposure to the information also increased consumers’ support for requiring calorie labels by 9.6 percent. These results are informative about the impact of the new nationwide menu label requirement, and more generally contribute to the literature on the impact of information disclosure on consumer behavior

Advertising · Business · Calorie · Environmental health · Randomized controlled trial · Service (business · Treatment and control groups · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Marketing