VendingMarketWatch.com |

Newly legislation in California requires vending machines to offer products meeting a specific nutritional standard, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Chairman of the Board of Directors Jim Brinton, NCE, announced. The measure, SB 441, covers those machines located on state property and mandates products that are less than 35 percent fat, less than 10 percent saturated fat, and less than 35 percent total weight in sugar with nuts and seeds.

In discussing the new legislation, Brinton said in a prepared statement, "While this is the first statewide nutritional mandate of which we are aware, NAMA's Fit Pick program can help operators comply. Fit Pick is the first truly nationwide and industry-wide comprehensive program for vending machines and is a practical and common sense solution to the nation's growing concern about health and wellness issues."

The NAMA Fit Pick program includes two nutrition standard choices:

Fit Pick Standard -- Products that are less than 35 percent fat, less than 10 percent saturated fat, and less than 35 percent total weight in sugar with nuts and seeds excluded, which was the program selected by California;

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Standard -- This standard begins with the 35-10-35 guidelines mentioned above, but adds caps on sodium, trans-fat, and calories.

Each Fit Pick package provides all the materials necessary to implement that particular standard. The program includes stickers that can be placed in front of qualifying products, thin clings that explain the nutrition standard, coin slot stickers and round stickers to help educate consumers, and a list of products that meet the specified nutrition standard. In addition to the materials created by NAMA, there is a website, www.fitpick.org, machine top signs, posters, postcards, table tents, and a 65-page toolkit for vending companies and consumer sites.

Fit Pick is the latest health and wellness tool created by NAMA as part of its Balanced for Life national health and wellness initiative. Launched in 2005, the campaign is designed to address the nation's rising obesity rates by educating people about the elements of a balanced diet and the importance of physical activity.

For more information or to order Fit Pick materials visit www.fitpick.org.