News

Long Island legislators pass healthy vending restrictions

August 1, 2014

Long Island's Suffolk County legislators passed a bill restricting the types of food vending machines in the area can supply to its customers, according to LongIsland.com.

The bill, first brought before legislators in March, applies to county contracts on Suffolk Co. property. Therestrictions mandate healthy foods be soldin vending machines, cafeterias and concessions stands and require a listing of caloric intake based on a product's size.

The National Automatic Merchandising Association is concerned the new standards will be difficult to meet, as the bill does not specify how the information is to be obtained by contracted companies or how Suffolk County plans to enforce it. 

"NAMA's government affairs division was in contact with the sponsoring legislator, Kara Hahn, asking for time to meet before the vote," said Eric Dell, NAMA senior vice-president of government affair. "However, the vote went forward on restrictions on vended product sales with language that makes compliance very difficult, if not impossible."

NAMA said it will connect with industry leaders affected by the bill in an effort to pursue further discussions.