Variability in the nutritional value of fast-food purchases before the implementation of a statewide menu labeling policy

The purpose of the presentation is to describe variability in average calories, saturated fat, and sodium of fast-food customer purchases before implementation of a statewide menu labeling policy. This study was conducted in Multnomah County, Oregon and used a double pre-test design with an intercept survey of 4,329 customers in spring and fall 2009. Customers were sampled from 49 fast-food establishments from the top 10 most common burger, sandwich, Mexican/taco, and coffee chains. We will present average nutritional values of fast food purchases in spring and fall 2009. A large amount of variation in customers' purchases before implementation of menu labeling would suggest other underlying factors that may affect customers' food choices. These findings are useful for interpreting other studies' observed changes in food choices associated with implementation of menu labeling policies.