A recent study conducted by the University of Sydney has shed light on the glaring absence of crucial nutritional information on many menu items featured on major online food delivery platforms in Australia. The findings underscore the pressing need for an overhaul of existing menu labeling laws, particularly in light of the burgeoning popularity of online food delivery services.
Under the 2011 New South Wales Menu Labelling Scheme, large fast-food outlets are mandated to provide customers with essential nutritional details, including the average energy content measured in kilojoules. However, this requirement falls short in the realm of online food delivery, where menus often lack such vital information, hindering consumers’ ability to make informed and healthier choices.
The study, which examined menu items from various online food delivery services across Sydney, revealed significant gaps in nutritional labeling. Out of 482 menus reviewed from platforms such as UberEats, Menulog, and Deliveroo (the latter no longer operational in Australia since the study), less than 6 percent featured complete kilojoule labeling.
Furthermore, inconsistencies were observed not only between different locations of the same franchise but also between in-house company-owned apps and third-party delivery services. This lack of uniformity exacerbates the challenge for consumers seeking to make healthier dietary decisions.
Lead author Sisi Jia, a PhD Candidate from the University of Sydney, emphasized the importance of displaying kilojoule content on menus to empower consumers in making healthier food choices. Previous research has demonstrated the tangible impact of menu labeling on consumer behavior, with individuals more likely to opt for lower-energy meals when provided with nutritional information.
Key findings from the study indicate alarmingly low rates of complete nutritional labeling on major online food delivery platforms, ranging from 3.6 percent to 5.3 percent. Additionally, only 35 percent of large fast-food franchise outlets featured comprehensive kilojoule labeling on their company apps.
Moreover, over 75 percent of menu items from mid-sized food outlets, despite being exempt from providing nutritional information under current laws, could be classified as ‘unhealthy’ according to independent guidelines. These findings underscore the urgent need for updated regulations to address the evolving landscape of online food delivery.
Dr. Stephanie Partridge, also from the University of Sydney, emphasized the necessity of clear and swift leadership in applying menu labeling schemes to online food retail platforms. She noted that current laws are ill-suited to the digital environment, necessitating prompt updates to safeguard consumer health.
The researchers highlighted the role of online food delivery services in facilitating the accessibility of low-nutritional-quality foods, particularly concerning for children’s diets. Dr. Alice Gibson stressed the importance of aligning public health nutrition policies with the changing dynamics of food accessibility and consumption, as outlined in the National Preventive Health Strategy.
In conclusion, the study underscores the imperative of updating menu labeling laws to address the deficiencies observed in online food delivery platforms, ensuring consumers have access to essential nutritional information to make healthier dietary choices.
