FDA proposes calorie label rules, seeks input

»The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued proposed regulations regarding calorie labeling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines and has sought input on the proposed rules. Ned Monroe, senior vice president of government affairs at the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), issued a bulletin noting relevant points. He noted FDA agrees that sign may be an appropriate medium to convey the required calorie declarations, so long as it is in close proximity to the covered vending machine food or selection button. FDA also tentatively concludes that “front of package” nutrition information could be a way to provide visible nutrition information, so long as the criteria for color, font and type size are met and total calories in the article of food are included. FDA is proposing that the final rule become effective one year from the date of its publication. So no calorie disclosure rules are likely to be in effect until the middle of 2012.

Monroe noted that per operator costs are estimated to be $2,400. FDA estimates that average per machine costs are less than $10 annually, considerably less than the FDA estimated last year. The FDA invites input on the proposed regulations by visiting http://www.regulations.gov.

Feds release rules for food sold on government sites

»The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have issued their regulations for foods sold on government properties managed by HHS and GSA.

This is the final version of the document the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) reviewed last fall, according to Ned Monroe, NAMA senior vice president of government affairs. Monroe said an issue for vending operators may be the sodium levels of snacks which will be capped at 230 mg sodium per serving.The rules only requires at least 25 percent “better for you” product mix, and it do not address caffeinated beverages.The guidelines in this document apply to all food service concession operations and vending machines managed by HHS and GSA. These guidelines may also be applied at sponsored or co-sponsored conferences and events onsite and offsite, as deemed appropriate. The rules can be reviewed at: http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/pbs/Guidelines_for_Federal_Concessions_and_Vending_Operations.pdfNAMA aids

NAMA aids Japan through Red Cross

»After contacting the Japanese Vending Association to express sympathy for the tragedies that befell their country, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has determined the best way to help the Japanese people and industry peers is by donations to theAmerican Red Cross.

The American Red Cross is accepting cash donations (designated for Japan) and in kind donations (bulk quantities of products and services from manufacturers, suppliers and distributors). “NAMA has given a donation to the Red Cross and we encourage our members to rally round the Japanese people to help them recover from the devastation that they have had to endure,” said LyNae Schleyer, CMP, NCE, NAMA senior director of education and the OneShow. “Our thanks to all of you who have already done so. We will keep you updated on information from our sister association.”

To make a donation, visit the American Red Cross Website at http://american.redcross.org.

Diamond Foods to buy Pringles from Procter & Gamble Co.

»Diamond Foods, Inc. will acquire Pringles from Procter & Gamble Co. in a transaction valued at $2.35 billion. The combination will more than triple the size of Diamond’s snack business.

Canteen buys Land O Lakes Vending, Wausau, Wis.

»Canteen Vending Services Inc., a subsidiary of Compass Group North America, has acquired the assets of Land O Lakes Vending Co. Inc. in Wausau, Wis. from owner Steve Havlovick. Cris Pope, Canteen’s district manager for northern Wisconsin, said the Wausau operation includes four vending routes.

Survey: young adults drink more coffee

»The National Coffee Association National Coffee Drinking Trends data indicates that consumption among consumers 18 to 39 years of age has rebounded to 2008-2009 levels following a decline last year. The finding mirrors increased confidence expressed by that group about their personal financial situation. The study also found that the coffee category remains strong, narrowing the already slim lead of soft drinks.

Flowers Foods will buye Tasty Baking Co.

»Flowers Foods Inc., which owns Mrs. Freshley's pastries, and Tasty Baking Co. announced a definitive merger agreement whereby Flowers will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Tasty Baking common stock for $4.00 per share in cash for a total purchase price of approximately $165 million, including Tasty’s existing indebtedness. The transaction is expected to contribute approximately $210 million to $225 million to Flowers’ 2012 sales.

Equity firm buys Ice House America

»Ulysses Management, LLC, an investment firm, has completed its acquisition of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Ice House America, LLC, and its affiliated companies through a controlled investment vehicle, Twice the Ice Holdings, LLC, according to news reports.

Ingenico and KICTeam sign OEM agreement

»Ingenico and KICTeam announced the signing of an OEM agreement for cleaning cards specifically designed for Ingenico POS terminals.

Coca-Cola introduces fully recyclable Dasani and Odwalla bottles

»Coca-Cola Co. recently announced that all Dasani bottles and Odwalla single-serving bottles will be available exclusively in PlantBottle packaging – the first-ever fully recyclable plastic beverage bottle produced using plants. Single-serve Odwalla packages are made from up to 100 percent plant-based materials with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. PET bottles for Dasani are made with up to 30 percent plant-based materials.

Coinco expands its cashless and telemetry offerings

»Coin Acceptors Inc. has expanded beyond its traditional role as a payment specialist with its recent acquisition of InOne Technology, a provider of telemetry-based aftermarket products. As announced in the April Automatic Merchandiser, the two companies continue to operate as separate entities, but the merger brings Coinco into the wireless communication business, offering telemetry-based remote machine monitoring (RMM) and cashless vending.

Under the trade name Arrow™, a new line of products being introduced at the National Automatic Merchandising Association OneShow includes three components: Arrow™ Connect, a “black box” that enables machines to record and transmit DEX data; Arrow™ Vision, a management software system that allows an operator to analyze results; and Arrow™ Reader, hardware that enables cashless payments.

Parker Condie, Coinco president, noted that the company is by no means a newcomer to DEX technology or cashless readers. Coinco offered DEX-based route management and cash collection and analysis in mid 1980s and was the first to offer combination bill acceptor/credit card reader in the 1990s.

In partnering with InOne, a developer of aftermarket DEX and telemetry products, Coinco expands its cashless and remote machine monitoring offerings.

Arrow™ Vision is an Internet hosted software that provides pre-pick and dynamic scheduling, which enables customers to increase route efficiencies, reduce routes and increase profits. Arrow™ Readers are equipped with voice prompting and allow for multi-lingual capabilities and multi-vend selections.

The Arrow™ combo reader accepts bills, credit or debit cards, and prepaid cards. Operators will have the option of utilizing the system’s credit processing function or use another processing service.

The Arrow™ standard reader accepts credit or debit cards and prepaid cards. The Arrow™ smart reader offers the same features and benefits as the standard reader but also using contact and contactless technology for vending purchases.

Maryland/D.C. group award scholarships

»The Maryland/D.C. Vending Association will award five $1,500 scholarships for the fall of 2011. Applicants must be a child or legal dependent of someone employed by the association for at least two years. The company must be a dues paying member of the association from 2009 to 2011. The applicant must be a student or accepted or currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year undergraduate or graduate college degree program, or accepted or currently enrolled in a vocational or trade school.The application deadline for its 2011/2012 scholarship deadline is April 30, 2011.Names of all eligible applicants will be entered into a drawing, to be awarded at the association’s annual meeting June 2, 2011 in St. Michael’s, Md. Applicants do not have to be present to win.

VendTek to add APi line to its portfolio

»VendTek Wholesale Equipment, Inc. of Wixom, Mich. has attained the Automatic Products line. VendTek’s offering of Crane, GPL, Crane Dixie Narco and now Crane Automatic Products nearly puts Crane Merchandising Systems (CMS) in Michigan operators’ own back yard for parts, service and equipment. VendTek plans to allow operators in trading in their older equipment for newer updated models. For information, visit VendTek Wholesale Equipment, Inc. at www.vendtek.com.

Sunny Delight signs packaging agrement

»ALPLA Inc., a supplier of plastic packaging, will provide on-site bottle manufacturing for theSunny Delight beverages manufactured at Sunny Delight’s Sherman, Texas plant. The agreement will involve the production of all bottle sizes for the Sunny D produced at the facility in space being vacated by the J. M. Smucker Co.’s Folgers coffee operation.