Obama Wants Calorie Info Posted on Vending Machines

People should expect to see the calorie information posted on five million vending machines nationwide in 2014.

As part of the changes on U.S President Barack Obama updated health care law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will start requiring vending machines to display calorie information which will aid consumers to make healthier food choices.

Office workers looking for snacks will be counting not only their change but also the number of calories found in their purchases. The final rules on the new labeling regulations meant for vending machines are scheduled to be released early next year.

The new ruling has estimated that it will initially cost the vending machine industry the amount of $25.8 million and an additional $24 million every year onwards. However, it will also make .02 percent of obese adults consume 100 lesser calories every week which will bring huge savings to the health care system.

The rules will be applicable to around 10,800 companies that are operating 20 or even more of these vending machines. Almost 75 percent of such companies employ three or fewer workers.

Eric Dell, vice president of National Automatic Merchandising Association, told the Daily Herald that the new ruling will not be easy to roll out. Initially investing $2,400 with an additional $2,200 spending in every year for the calorie information posters does not entail a return on investment.

FDA will be giving the vending companies one year to comply with the proposed rule but the association is hoping to get at least two years to plan how their expenses. Posting calorie counts can be done by either using electronic displays or opting for signs that are machine-stuck.

Prior to counting calories, consumers already have an access on healthier snack choices from vending machines. In 2005, the NAMA launched its Fit Pick program which includes stickers that displays the nutrition information of a qualifying product. According to the website, 1,215 organizations participated in the program.

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