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NEW DELHI, Jul 30 — Adding salt warning labels to restaurant menus could serve as a powerful tool to help diners make healthier food choices, a new study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that such warnings led customers to order meals with significantly less salt, offering the potential to reduce both cardiovascular and kidney disease risks linked with high sodium consumption.
In a groundbreaking real-world and online trial, researchers compared consumer behavior when menus included high-salt warnings versus those without any labels. Results showed that participants who saw salt warnings ordered meals with up to 12.5% less salt—approximately 0.54 grams less in real restaurants and 0.26 grams less per meal in the online setting.
“Salt warning labels on menus help people make healthier choices,” said lead author Dr. Rebecca Evans, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology. “Excess salt intake is a leading contributor to diet-related illness. This type of simple labeling policy could have wide-reaching health benefits.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day—roughly under one teaspoon. However, salt content in many restaurant dishes far exceeds this guideline, contributing to health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and even obesity.
The study involved 454 diners in a real-world restaurant environment and 2,391 adults in an online randomized controlled trial. Participants spanning age, gender, and education backgrounds responded positively to the warning labels, which not only influenced their meal choices but also increased awareness about salt content in their food.
Importantly, the findings indicate that salt warning labels are an equitable public health tool, benefitting a broad spectrum of consumers without exacerbating existing health disparities. “This study shows that even small nudges at the point of purchase can push people toward healthier decisions,” Dr. Evans added.
As menu labeling policies gain momentum worldwide, initiatives like high-salt warnings are being considered as low-cost, scalable solutions to reduce salt intake and promote long-term public health.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes recent scientific findings. Readers should consult health professionals for personalized dietary advice.
