VENDING IN THE NEWS: CANADA CREATES CAFFIENE LIMITS

Whether you have been following the eVending blog or have been keeping up with current vending trends, it is clear that healthy vending is here to stay. Different areas are creating regulations on certain snacks and beverages in combo vending machines, and Canada has been the latest to put a lid on overly sugary drinks.

According to the Vending Times, Canada’s health department has created new rules regarding the caffeine content of energy drinks. All drinks can only have a maximum of 180 mg of caffeine, which is the average amount found in an 8-ounce cup of coffee. These regulations require that all energy drinks clearly list the caffeine and nutritional contents on the package, as well as a warning that energy drinks should not be consumed by children, pregnant women, or those drinking alcohol. These changes should not affect major energy drink distributors such as Red Bull and are likely targeted at new energy drink brands that deliver excessive amounts of caffeine. Energy drinks have been associated with several deaths and heart problems over the past ten years, and Canada’s new regulations aim to minimise these complications.

Whether your state mandates it or not, it is never a bad idea to monitor the caffeine contents of your combo vending machines. Keeping your clients refreshed should be a priority, but helping them stay healthy should be an even bigger one.