In response to commentary published in The Sun in support of the Maryland Healthy Vending Act, Ellen Valentino, executive vice president, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association, fired back in an opinion piece for The Baltimore Sun, arguing to keep the government out of vending machines. Valentino argues that the proposed legislation limits choices while simultaneously dictating what beverages and snacks are constituted as “healthy” under the government’s definition.
Valentino goes on to note the things the industry has been doing to offer people balanced choices such as providing smaller portion sizes and placing calorie count signs on vending machines.
She writes, “The good news is our industry agrees that people want choices, but they want to make their own decisions. What people don't want is more government regulation and government telling them what they can eat and drink.”
