Impacts of a Healthy Checkout Ordinance on Added Sugars, Sodium, and Other Nutrients at Checkout 1 Year After Implementation: Berkeley, California, 2021–2022

<b>Objectives.</b> To assess the impact of the world's first mandatory healthy checkout policy on added sugars, sodium, and other nutrients available at retail checkouts in Berkeley, California. <b>Methods.</b> We collected data on food and beverage facings before (2021) and after (2022) policy implementation in 23 Berkeley (8786 facings) and 75 California comparison stores (40 617 facings). Our analysis used difference-in-differences models. <b>Results.</b> Between 2021 and 2022, there was a 70% reduction in added sugars per serving of food and beverage facings (b = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15, 0.59) and a 53% reduction in sodium per serving of beverage facings (b = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.81) at Berkeley checkouts relative to comparison city checkouts. There was a 41% reduction in saturated fat and a 47% increase in fiber per serving of food and beverage facings (b = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.79 and b = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.06, respectively). <b>Conclusions.</b> One year after implementation, the policy reduced added sugars and saturated fat per serving of food and beverage facings, reduced sodium per serving of beverage facings, and increased fiber per serving of food and beverage facings. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Healthy checkout policies have potential to increase the healthfulness of checkout food environments. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2025;115(10):1700-1712. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308159).

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Public Health
Published
2025-08-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308159
Primary Topic
Nutritional Studies and Diet
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Impacts of a Healthy Checkout Ordinance on Added Sugars, Sodium, and Other Nutrients at Checkout 1 Year After Implementation: Berkeley, California, 2021–2022

Jennifer Falbe, Samantha Marinello, Rebecca M. Schermbeck, Lisa M. Powell et al.
American Journal of Public Health
Nutritional Studies and Diet
article

Impacts of a Healthy Checkout Ordinance on Added Sugars, Sodium, and Other Nutrients at Checkout 1 Year After Implementation: Berkeley, California, 2021–2022

Jennifer Falbe, Samantha Marinello, Rebecca M. Schermbeck, Lisa M. Powell, Alexandria E. Reimold, Ethan C. Wolf, Kris Jayme G. Matas
article en

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To assess the impact of the world's first mandatory healthy checkout policy on added sugars, sodium, and other nutrients available at retail checkouts in Berkeley, California. <b>Methods.</b> We collected data on food and beverage facings before (2021) and after (2022) policy implementation in 23 Berkeley (8786 facings) and 75 California comparison stores (40 617 facings). Our analysis used difference-in-differences models. <b>Results.</b> Between 2021 and 2022, there was a 70% reduction in added sugars per serving of food and beverage facings (b = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15, 0.59) and a 53% reduction in sodium per serving of beverage facings (b = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.81) at Berkeley checkouts relative to comparison city checkouts. There was a 41% reduction in saturated fat and a 47% increase in fiber per serving of food and beverage facings (b = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.79 and b = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.06, respectively). <b>Conclusions.</b> One year after implementation, the policy reduced added sugars and saturated fat per serving of food and beverage facings, reduced sodium per serving of beverage facings, and increased fiber per serving of food and beverage facings. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Healthy checkout policies have potential to increase the healthfulness of checkout food environments. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2025;115(10):1700-1712. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308159).

American Journal of Public HealthVol. 115(10)
University of Illinois Chicago (US), Institute of Public Health (AL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 72%
Nutritional Studies and Diet
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.