Do Warning Labels Decrease Soda Purchasing?

Investigators will run a field study evaluating the impact different labels have on the purchasing of sugar sweetened beverages. This field study will take place in a hospital cafeteria.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

In a hospital cafeteria investigators will label all sugar sweetened beverages to evaluate their impact on purchasing.

Investigators will collect baseline data for two weeks on beverage sales at the hospital cafe. Following this data collection investigators will introduce a calorie label which reads "Each beverage contains [lower calorie bound]-[upper calorie bound] calories per container. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice but calorie needs vary." These signs will be posted for two weeks and investigators will collect sales data. Following this intervention investigators will remove the signs and collect sales data for two weeks. At the end of this no label period, investigators will introduce the second intervention, a warning label. This label will read "WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay." This label will also be posted for two weeks and investigators will collect sales data. Investigators will then remove these signs and collect sales data for two weeks. Finally, investigators will introduce the third intervention: a warning label with graphic labels. This label will read "WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay." However this sign will also include a visual depiction of each health consequence. Investigators will collect sales data for this two week period. After this intervention investigators will collect sales data for an additional two weeks and then administer a brief survey to cafeteria customers to better understand their impressions of the labels.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Customers of the hospital cafeteria.

Exclusion criteria

None

Treatment and study plan

Label Condition

Other

Labels will be presented in front of drinks. We will vary the messaging presented to the consumer.

Primary outcomes

Sweetened beverages purchased

Time frame: 2 week condition blocks

We will sum the total number of sugar sweetened beverages sold in each condition using the Universal Product Code (UPC) for bottled beverages and syrup weight for fountain beverages.

Secondary outcomes

Unsweetened beverages purchased

Time frame: 2 week condition blocks

We will sum the total number of unsweetened beverages sold in each condition using the Universal Product Code (UPC) for bottled beverages and syrup weight for fountain beverages.
Beverage calories sold

Time frame: 2 week condition blocks

We will calculate the number of beverage calories sold during each condition, using the Universal Product Code (UPC) for bottled beverages, syrup weight for fountain beverages, and the products' nutritional information.
Changes in types of beverages purchased

Time frame: 2 week condition blocks

We will examine any changes in the types of beverages purchased during each condition, using the Universal Product Code (UPC) for bottled beverages and syrup weight for fountain beverages. For example, if sugar-sweetened beverages sales decrease, do purchases of water increase?

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Harvard University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2016
Study completion: 2016
First posted: Apr 20, 2016
Registry last updated: Oct 4, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed