Click & Pick: online shopping policies to help people choose healthier foods
A Longitudinal, Randomized-Controlled Experiment of Healthy Food Policies in Online Retail Settings
This project will test whether adding taxes, front-of-pack warning labels, and healthy checkout rules on online grocery and restaurant sites helps lower-income adults buy and eat fewer ultra-processed foods.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07422922 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial randomizes 300 lower-income adults in Houston, San Antonio, and Philadelphia to either a control condition or a suite of healthy food policies applied in simulated online grocery and restaurant platforms. Participants complete one online shopping session per week for six weeks, with the first week serving as a baseline, three weeks with interventions, and two weeks that introduce industry-style marketing to mimic real-world responses. The intervention package includes taxes on ultra-processed foods and beverages, front-of-pack nutrition warning labels, and healthy checkout regulations that limit promotion of unhealthy items. Primary outcomes are changes in purchases and reported intake of healthy and ultra-processed foods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with lower household incomes who are not enrolled in SNAP or similar benefit programs, do most household grocery shopping, report eating fast food at least monthly, and live in the Houston, San Antonio, or Philadelphia areas are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People enrolled in SNAP or similar programs, those living outside the specified cities, individuals who do not shop online or who do not handle household grocery shopping, or those who already avoid ultra-processed foods may be unlikely to benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these policy changes could make it easier for people to choose healthier options, reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods, and lower risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Taxes and warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages have shifted purchasing behavior in prior work, but applying a combined policy package across a broad range of ultra-processed foods is relatively novel and less tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥18 years old * Not currently eligible for or participating in SNAP or another government program that automatically qualifies the person for SNAP (e.g., WIC, TANF) * Meets the following income eligibility requirements: For participants living in the Houston or San Antonio areas, their household income must be greater than 165% of the federal poverty level, but less than the Texas state median household income (based on the 2023 American Community Survey) for their household size \[11\]. For participants living in the Philadelphia area, their income must be greater than 200% of the federal poverty level, but less than the Pennsylvania state median household income (based on the 2023 American Community Survey) for their household size \[11\]. * Reports consuming food from McDonald's or a similar fast-food chain at least once a month * Does most of the grocery shopping for the household * Can adhere to the study schedule (e.g., receive a lunch on a Wednesday) * Has regular internet access * Has a smart phone that can take pictures * Resident of Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX or Philadelphia, PA or the surrounding areas and plans to be there for the next six weeks * Household size of six or fewer people * Have an address eligible for receiving Grubhub+ and Walmart+ deliveries Exclusion Criteria: * Does not meet all of the inclusion criteria * Cognitive impairment; per PIs discretion * Participant is under 18 years old * Does not speak English or Spanish
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christina Roberto, PhD — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Julianna Catania, MPH
- Email: julianna.catania@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: (215) 839-9689
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.