Chicago to Limit Junk in City Vending Machines

CHICAGO The City of Chicago is on the front lines in the growing war to fight fat.

The City Council last week passed an ordinance that limits fat, sugar and calorie content in vending machines across city buildings and departments.

Starting in January, the machines are subject to a number of restrictions including a requirement that at least 75 percent of the food options in a machine must contain 250 calories or less. The ordinance will affect about 350 vending machines in 94 city buildings, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"Healthy environments are crucial to healthly people," said Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, in a statement Dec. 12. "[W]e can help combat a variety of health problems, including obesity, by prioritizing wellness, and this new vending initiative does just that."

The ordinance is said to add to several measures implemented by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who recently announced an initiative that will include affordable nutrition education and active lifestyle programs for Chicago communities.

The Windy City's focus on health and nutrition is evident in Chicago Lives Healthy, a wellness program for employees and spouses/partners that is covered by an employee's health plan. The country's largest municipal wellness program, Chicago Lives Healthy has more than 38,000 registrants, according to the mayor's office.