Well, it is not the machines that should be healthier but their content.
The Generalitat of Catalonia concerned about childhood obesity has asked for food and beverage vending machines distribute health instead of calories and saturated fat. A sensible reflection that we applaud and hope that it spreads throughout all the communities.
Finally, measures of this type are taken that are not only important for children, but also for their parents and all adults.
The 3 parties involved have met: the Catalan Association of Vending, the agency of Public health of Barcelona and the Federation of Associations of Fathers and mothers Students of Catalonia and have agreed to a guide with recommendations (it is not a prohibition or sanction but a pact) and sensible advice such as these:
That preference be given to water, milk, liquid yogurts, natural juices and sugar-free soft drinks. And that sandwiches, bread sticks, cereals, cookies, cereal bars and fresh fruit occupy the shelves that until now are the fief of industrial pastries and bags of chips.
The Department of Health also wants avoid the location of vending machines in areas accessible to children under 16 and modify advertising to encourage “responsible consumption and introduce messages that promote, in an attractive way, healthy eating ”.
I personally applaud this measure but without forgetting that it's just one step from so many others necessary for the problem of childhood obesity.
Just point out that Beware of sugar free products because they usually contain the artificial sweetener aspartame (E-951) that according to some experts can be harmful.
