A new study has found that warning labels on restaurant menus may significantly influence healthier eating habits among UK diners. Conducted by the University of Liverpool and published in The Lancet Public Health, the research provides the “strongest evidence to date” that such labelling can discourage the selection of meals high in salt. The warnings were triggered by dishes exceeding 50% of the recommended daily salt intake of 6g.
++ Russia launches regular flights to North Korea amid strengthening ties
In a trial involving 2,391 UK adults, participants who viewed salt-labelled menus were less likely to choose high-salt options, with an average reduction of 0.26g of salt per meal. A real-world experiment in a Liverpool restaurant mirrored these results, showing a more substantial salt reduction of 0.54g per meal. The study noted that these labels raised customer awareness regardless of age, sex, or educational background.
Lead author Dr Rebecca Evans commented that excess salt intake remains a leading contributor to diet-related illness. She emphasised that even subtle interventions at the point of choice could encourage healthier decisions and potentially play a key role in national health strategies. This study marks the first real-world randomised controlled trial to assess salt labelling in a full-service restaurant setting.
++ Police urge lawful protest ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland
Sonia Pombo of Action on Salt stressed the urgency of the findings, pointing out that dining out has become a regular part of modern life. Many restaurant meals contain high levels of salt, often without consumers’ awareness. Pombo urged policymakers to prioritise salt reduction as a critical element of the UK’s food health strategy to improve outcomes and save lives.
