Understanding how added sugar warnings on restaurant menus affect what people choose to eat

A large-scale quasi-experimental evaluation of added sugar warning labels in restaurants

['FUNDING_R37'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11129885

This project looks at whether new warning labels for high-sugar items on restaurant menus in New York City help people make healthier food choices.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R37']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11129885 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

New York City recently started requiring restaurants to put warning labels next to menu items that are high in added sugar. This project wants to find out if these labels actually change what people buy when they eat out. We will compare changes in purchases in NYC before and after the labels were introduced, against other cities without these warnings. The goal is to understand if these warnings help reduce the risk of conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Individuals who are 21 years or older and regularly purchase food from restaurants, particularly in New York City or similar urban environments, are relevant to this research.

Not a fit: Patients who do not eat at restaurants or are not concerned about their sugar intake may not directly benefit from this specific policy-focused research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show that simple warning labels can help people make healthier food choices, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: While similar warning models have been successful for cigarettes and beverages, real-world studies on added sugar warnings in restaurants are very limited.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.