In response to San Francisco supervisor Mark Farrell’s introduction of legislation imposing restrictions on vending machines, U.S. New & World Report published a blog arguing two reasons to doubt the measure’s effectiveness.
The source cites several studies finding that vending machine restrictions may not actually reduce consumers’ calorie intake. The author suggests that a consumer will only have to step off of the city premises to purchase a food or beverage of their choice. The proposed law would ban the sale of soda, chips and candy from machines on city property, the source reports.
Second, the source argues, “soda and junk food may not be responsible for excess weight in most Americans.” The author notes that the proposed legislation, “underscores a disturbing trend in recent attempts to counter the rising rates in obesity in the U.S.”
