The recent release of the FDA’s proposed guidelines for menu labeling has taken the foodservice industry one step closer to the required posting of calorie and nutritional information. While any change in consumer behavior as a result of menu labeling is guesswork at this stage, there’s no doubt that the rapid increase in nutritional information will raise awareness of the healthfulness of restaurant meals.
In an effort to reach consumers who are looking for healthier options, restaurants have been marketing more items as healthy, with a 72% increase in healthy menu item claims in the past 2 years[1]. But they may be missing the mark, judging by a new study by the NPD Group.
According to the study[2], “When consumers where asked what they look for in terms of healthy eating when they go to eat, the top features related to food quality, balanced meals, portions and cooking methods.”
Operators can make a simple change to give consumers the balance and food quality they want by turning to Barilla® PLUS®. It is the first multigrain pasta that is a good source of important nutrients, delivering 200mg of ALA Omega-3, twice as much fiber and over forty percent more protein (10g) than traditional pasta.
[1] Mintel Menu Insights, 2011
[2] Consumers Define Healthy Eating when They Go Out to Eat, NPD Group, 2011
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