SEATTLE -- Health experts have long argued that nutritional labeling at fast food restaurants would help people make healthier choices. But a new study by researchers at Duke University and Seattle-King County Public Health reveals that may not be the case.
At the Taco Time in West Seattle, just below the price on the menu, is another number -- the calories.
The nutritional labeling law went into effect here two years ago. But a new study focusing on sales figures at local Taco Time restaurants shows the average calories of a purchase here is almost identical to other Taco Times that do not post the nutritional information.
"I think it's very interesting to see what the impact is for this one particular chain," says Nadine Chan, Assistant Chief of Assessment, Policy Development and Evaluation with Seattle-King County Public Health.
Many diners at the restaurant Tuesday night admitted calories were not a factor in their choices.
"This is bad but I don't look at all," said Bonnie Cooke who picked up her food inside the restaurant.
"We don't pay a lot of attention to it. It's not like I eat here all the time," said Eric Mangelsen, as he was sitting in the drive-thru line.
What's interesting is that a lot of people tell us they already eat healthy. So the calorie information posted on the menu really didn't change their minds.
"I don't eat out all that often and at home my wife cooks pretty healthy meals for us," says customer Niel McDonagh.
In further studies, public health researchers found the number of customers that used calorie information quadrupled once it was posted in the restaurant.
"For the people who said they used the calorie information, that there was a decrease in the average calories they consumed," says Chan.
So hold the sour cream, and the rush to judgment. Health experts say more research needs to be done.
Seattle-King County Public Health says its in the process of analyzing new data on the nutritional labeling and should have more results in the next few months. This joint study with Duke University will be published in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine" in February.
