U.K. restaurant chains that voluntarily display nutrition facts serve less fat and salt

A new study looking at popular restaurants in the U.K. finds that those that voluntarily displayed nutrition information on their menu also serve less fat and salt compared to establishments that don't share such information. The U.K. in September 2018 mandated that large restaurant chains display calories and other nutrients on menus, but some had already begun doing so. Researchers looked at the 100 most popular U.K. restaurants by sales and found that 14 voluntarily provided nutritional information online. And items from these restaurants’ menus contained 45% less fat and about 60% less salt. The findings only indicate an association between healthier items and displaying nutrition information, but the authors suggest that other countries could consider labeling mandates to inspire similar changes.