Effects of health star labelling on the healthiness of adults' fast food meal selections: An experimental study

Abstract

The addition of Health Star Rating (HSR) labelling to menus at fast food outlets is feasible, however how this would impact consumer menu selection remains unclear. The aim of this study was to test whether the addition of HSR labelling to kilojoule (kJ) labelling on menus at fast food outlets would prompt consumers to select healthier meals. Using a between-subjects experimental design, 1007 adults aged 18-49 were allocated to one of four menu labelling conditions: (i) no labelling; (ii) kilojoule labelling; (iii) HSR labelling; and (iv) kilojoule + HSR labelling. Respondents were presented with their assigned menu online and instructed to select an evening meal as they would at a fast food..