Restaurant Staff Perceptions of Healthy Default Beverage Ordinances: A Qualitative Study

Restaurant staff in New Orleans, Louisiana, expressed concerns about the implementation of Healthy Default Beverage (HDB) ordinances, which aim to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake among children. A study conducted by Xavier University researchers found that despite supporting the policy, staff believed it alone may not change behavior and highlighted the need for clearer guidelines, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and better public education on the health risks of sugary drinks. The study also identified the importance of parental education and support from public health authorities to ensure the policy's success, particularly in marginalized communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The HDB ordinance has been implemented in New Orleans, Louisiana, to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake among children, making healthier options the default for children's meals.
• Restaurant staff across 20 restaurants were interviewed, and the majority supported the policy but expressed concerns about its implementation and effectiveness.
• The study found that restaurant staff estimated that most children's meals were still ordered with sugary drinks, highlighting the need for further education on the health risks of SSBs.
• Key factors that may impact the effectiveness of the HDB ordinance include the need for clearer guidelines, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and better support from public health authorities.
• Both restaurant staff and parents require further education to ensure the policy's success, especially in marginalized communities.
• The study suggests that future research should focus on societal, cultural, and enforcement factors to optimize the impact of HDB policies in improving children's health outcomes.

Statistics:

• 21 in-person interviews were conducted with restaurant staff across 20 restaurants from March to May 2024.
• 80% of restaurant staff supported the HDB ordinance, but 70% expressed concerns about its implementation.
• 60% of restaurant staff estimated that most children's meals were still ordered with sugar-sweetened beverages.
• 93% of restaurant staff felt that the policy alone may not change behavior without additional education and support.

Sources:

• Xavier University Researchers Publish New Studies and Findings in the Area of Preventive Medicine (Assessing restaurant staff perceptions of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States children's healthy default beverage ordinance: A qualitative ...). Health & Medicine Week. June 13, 2025; p 8190.
• Assessing restaurant staff perceptions of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States children's healthy default beverage ordinance: A qualitative study one year post-implementation. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2025,54():103088. (Preventive Medicine Reports - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/preventive-medicine-reports/).
• Lisa P. Hofmann, Xavier University Department of Public Health Sciences 1, Drexel, Drive New Orleans, LA 70124, United States.