New federal laws requiring fast food restaurants to label the caloric content of their meals are intended to steer individuals away from unhealthy options and encourage them to eat foods with more vitamins and minerals. However, a new review suggests that this plan may not provide individuals with the information they really need to make healthy choices.

A team of researchers from Columbia University examined the nutritional information on the menus of fast food restaurants in New York City. Local lawmakers passed legislation in 2006 that was similar to the recent federal laws requiring restaurants to post caloric information.

The team found that the vast majority of restaurants fully complied with the existing rules. However, they rarely provided enough relevant information.

For example, meals that were intended for multiple people did not give serving size or say how many calories should be consumed by each individual. Instead, the menus simply listed the total caloric content of the meal.

The researchers said that rules requiring restaurants to list caloric information can be useful for helping improve eating habits. However, they should be designed in such a way that they can be easily understood by people at all levels of literacy.