Dallas, TX, city beverage vending machines may be getting an item overhaul. Last month Dallas City Council members rejected bids from Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper for a city soda contract, citing concerns about obesity at City Hall and a bidding process that awarded beverage companies points in exchange for free drinks they provide to council offices, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Now, the contract is up for re-bid. A new proposal presented to the council’s Budget, Finance and Audit Committee would allow just 10 percent of drinks in city vending machines to be full-calorie sodas. Currently, about 60 percent of drinks are full-calorie. Newer options would need to include diet sodas, water, tea, low-calorie energy drinks, skim milk or juice.
The proposal recommends phasing in a requirement that vended food items be less than 200 calories a piece, as well.
