Beverage Calorie Counts Coming to Vending Machines

CHICAGOAmericas beverage companies launched a new Calories Count Vending Program, which will be launched in municipal buildings in the cities of Chicago and San Antonio beginning in 2013 and eventually rolled out to vending customers nationwide.

We are proud to launch our Calories Count Vending Program with Mayor Emanuel and Mayor Castro, both of whom are deeply committed to reducing obesity in their communities," said Susan K. Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association.

Building upon previous industry initiatives that removed full-calorie beverages from schools and placed new calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack, the Calories Count Vending Program will provide clear calorie information on vending machines, encourage lower-calorie beverage choices and remind consumers that calories count" in all the choices they make.

Under the Calories Count Vending Program, The Coca-Cola Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo will work with government leaders, foodservice operators, vending companies and other customers to increase availability of lower-calorie beverages in vending machines; display a Calories Count" vending snipe on the front of beverage vending machines reminding consumers to consider calories in their beverage choices with messages such as Check then Choose" and Try a Low-Calorie Beverage"; and add calorie labels to the selection buttons on beverage vending machines to show calorie counts per beverage container.

Working with key stakeholders is an important part of addressing the public health challenge of obesity," Neely said. With our Calories Count Vending Program, everyone who works in or visits a municipal building in Chicago and San Antonio will know exactly how many calories are in their favorite beverages before making a vending machine purchaseand they will be reminded that calories count as part of achieving a balanced lifestyle."