The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot confirm a publication date for the final rule for vending machine calorie labeling, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) announced. FDA is currently working on the final rule but it is unlikely it will be published by the end of 2011. When the final rule does publish, FDA will advise in the preamble when the rule will become effective. In establishing an effective date for the final rule, the FDA is considering all of the relevant comments that were received in a timely manner. For more information, contact Sandy Larson at [email protected].
Editor’s Insight: NAMA is keeping on top of mandatory calorie disclosure, which could have a big impact on vending, depending on what rules the FDA comes up with.
During the NAMA OneShow in April, an FDA official noted that once the final rules are released, the vending industry will have one year before compliance is required.
The FDA official also noted that if a consumer can examine a nutrition panel prior to purchase at the point of sale, the vending operator is exempt from the rules. 12-05-11 By Elliot
