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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 006-10
January 6, 2010

STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON STANFORD UNIVERSITY STUDY OF CUSTOMER PURCHASES AT STARBUCKS FOLLOWING NEW YORK CITY'S CALORIE POSTING REGULATION

Independent Study Showing Calories in Items Purchased Went Down – But Stores' Revenue Did Not

“Researchers at Stanford have analyzed 100 million Starbucks customer receipts, and the results should please anyone who cares about health. The researchers found that the number of calories in an average Starbucks purchase is down by 6% since New York City adopted its groundbreaking calorie-posting rule, and people who typically purchase more than 250 calories cut the calories in what they bought by even more – 26%. While calorie consumption declined in response to calorie posting, Starbucks revenues did not. This study helps confirm what we’ve believed all along – consumers can make healthier choices when supplied with the right information, and businesses can profit while offering their customers healthier alternatives.

“By requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards, New York City has sparked a national response to the epidemics of obesity and diabetes. We gave New Yorkers the ability to choose foods with fewer calories, and now consumers are using that information and benefiting from it.”







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Read the study (in PDF)