Calorie labels on menus and food packaging encourage healthier choices, but are limited to 11 calories - the same as a single Pringles crisp.

That's the result of a study that examined how effective menu lists are at prompting consumers to choose lower-calorie options.

"Our review shows that calorie labeling leads to modest reductions in the calories people buy and consume," said Dr. Gareth Hollands of UCL's Institute for Social Research and senior author of the findings.

Displaying calorie information in cafes, restaurants and supermarkets would only reduce the total calories consumed by people by an average of 1.8%. Hollands adds that this equates to just 11 calories in a typical 600-calorie meal, or the equivalent of two almonds.

Lead author Dr Natasha Clarke, from the University of Bath Spa, said: "This review strengthens the evidence that calorie labeling can lead to small but sustained reductions in calorie choices."

While she admitted the impact of labeling on the food purchased was "modest", "the cumulative effect at a population level can make a meaningful contribution to public health".

The researchers reached their conclusion after reviewing 25 previous studies on the topic, involving more than 10,000 people from wealthy countries such as the United Kingdom, France and the United States. Their study was published on Friday by the Cochrane Library, a global publisher of evidence-based medicine.

From April 2022, large cafes, restaurants and takeaways with more than 250 staff must display all non-prepackaged food they sell on their menus, online menus, third-party apps and food delivery under UK law. Calorie counting platform for soft drinks.

The body representing pubs and restaurants says the reduction in calorie intake on labels is so small that ministers should remove food businesses' responsibility for displaying the information.

"In reality, this policy will only increase costs for businesses, with many facing thousands of pounds in extra costs each year. In light of these findings and the ongoing costs to businesses, I urge the government to review this policy." UK Hospitality chief executive Officer Kate Nicholls said.

But the Food and Drink Federation, which represents supermarkets and food manufacturers, said the labels "help consumers understand the nutrients and calories in the food they eat and choose lower-calorie options to support their long-term health."

However, a federation spokesman added: "Labeling alone is not a panacea for the complex problem of obesity."

Experts are divided over the importance of labeling in tackling obesity.

"It's debatable whether such a small change will have any effect on weight in the long term," says Tom Saunders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London.

He added that people would only lose weight if they reduced their intake by 200 calories a day "over an extended period of time" and that consumers would also "become fatigued by calorie labels in the long run".

But Amanda Daly, professor of behavioral medicine at Loughborough University, said "calorie labels have a role to play" in helping the public make healthier eating decisions. Depending on how much people eat three meals a day, "these small amounts may add up to helping reduce overweight in the population."