San Francisco Law Severely Restricts Products Sold Through Vending Machines On City Property

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed on May 10 what's widely considered to be the nation's most stringent legislation restricting what can be sold through vending machines on city property. City lawmakers voted 10-1 to pass the "healthy" vending proposal, which was introduced by Supervisor Mark Farrell in January. | READ MORE

Under the new rules, beverage vending machines on city property can only offer water, juice, low-fat milk or milk substitutes, along with diet sodas and unsweetened coffee or tea. Food items cannot provide more than 200 calories per serving and must be low in fat and sugar. Candy and "regular" chips are prohibited.

The legislation also calls for "healthier" food to be offered at city meetings and events, and encourages restaurants and concessions on city property to offer meals that contain fewer than 700 calories and derive 35% or less of their calories from fat.

Buildings occupied by the city's Department of Emergency Management, which run the 911 call centers where employees say they need their sugar and caffeine fix, are exempt from the legislation.

The policy takes effect as soon as each vending machine contract comes up for renewal or is amended.

"City government can and should lead by example, and this policy continues to cement San Francisco as a national leader on health policy and encouraging healthier lifestyles," Farrell said.