Impact of a Front-of-pack Nutrition Labelling on Food Purchases in Contract Catering

Impact of a Front-of-pack Nutrition Labelling on the Nutritional Quality of Purchases of Customers in Contract Catering - a Controlled Trial

This controlled trial investigates the impact of the implementation of a front-of-pack nutrition label, namely Nutri-Score, on foods and beverages sold in a contract catering in France on the nutritional quality of purchases.

The introduction of front-of-pack nutrition labelling is thought to help consumers making healthier food choices at the point-of-purchase. In 2017, the French government has selected the Nutri-Score as single front-of-pack nutrition label to be applied on food products sold in French supermarkets, on a voluntary basis.

Some studies have found that the Nutri-Score would help consumers making healthier choices. Nevertheless, its impact has been demonstrated in experimental supermarkets and its implementation only concerns products sold in groceries and supermarkets, as it is stated in the official decree. The potential impact of the Nutri-Score in contract catering remains unknown, while this sector represents a growing share of out-of-home catering and that the promotion of the Nutri-Score in this sector is now part of the National Public Health Plan.

Thus, the objective of the present study is to investigate the impact of the implementation of the Nutri-Score in contract catering restaurants on the nutritional quality of food purchases. The trial will be conducted using a quasi experimental before/after design with a comparison group. Data on purchases will be collected regularly through receipts, and the nutritional quality of purchases will be evaluated over time on two pairs of sites. In each pair of sites, one site will receive an intervention (Nutri-Score) and one site will be a control site. Within each pair, the sites will be comparable in terms of food offer and consumers profile.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all individuals purchasing in the contract catering restaurants will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• No