An Up Close Look at FDA’s Calorie Disclosure Rule

The FDA Calorie Disclosure Rule for vending machines is directed by Congress and stems from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that was approved by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The section 4205 amendment of the ACA was implemented to “help make calorie information for vending machine foods available to prospective purchasers in a direct, accessible, and consistent manner to enable them to make informed and healthful dietary choices,” according to the Federal Register.

It is important to note, the Rule applies to vending operators, rather than the food manufacturers and it applies to vending only, not micro markets or OCS. This rule requires that vending machine operators who own or operate 20+ machines, or who voluntarily elect to be covered, comply with the guidelines as defined in the FDA Calorie Disclosure Rule.
The FDA’s Final Rule, issued in December of 2014, will go into effect on December 1st this year. The rule requires that operators provide the calorie content of food products in one of several locations:
• On a sign in, on or adjacent to the vending machine so long as the sign is easily read and in close proximity to the article of food or its selection button
• On the front of the product label- the font must be in a type size at least 50 percent of the size of the largest printed matter
• On the product’s Nutrition Facts panel, if it is visible while the product is inside the vending machine- provided the calories displayed represent the total calories per package item
• On a digital display, if the vending machine has one
eVending’s snack and refrigerated / frozen vending machines are equipped with two line digital displays. Using a machine planogram approach, the products’ nutritional information is entered into a text file along with the selection number and product name. The product name (up to 20 characters) as well as calorie and fat calorie information (up to four digits each) can be included in the text file. The information can be programmed into the machines through a two-step process.
1. Create a text file with the information in DEX format
2. Upload the DEX text file to the machine’s control board by attaching a laptop to the vending machine with a GVC control board cable.
This feature will ease the transition in complying with the FDA’s new rules and regulations by providing you with a tool that can display the calorie content of the products in your machine.
In addition to the above described rules, the vending operator must disclose their telephone number and mailing address or email address by posting it on the vending machine. The information can be placed on the face of the machine or with the calorie declarations in, on, or adjacent to the machine.
The Final Rule will be enforced by the FDA starting December 1, 2016. The FDA can enforce the rules through its regulatory enforcement process. Failure to comply with the rule will render the covered vending machine food misbranded under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C). Learn more about the FDA Calorie Disclosure Rule by visiting NAMA’s FDA Calorie Disclosure Online Resource Center.

When you are considering a vending business the first step to success is finding the right location to place your vending machine.
Choose a location that provides:
1. A lot of foot traffic
2. High visibility
3. A chance to work with an existing business
4. Work with a new business
When the area is a public place, it is great for potential customers to have the ability to vend snacks and drinks from a combo vending machine that provides a wide variety of options. The more people using the location the more potential profits rise. Your customer satisfaction will bring them back simply because it is a place used by many and they will have the convenience of the snack or drink combo vending machine.
The machine needs to be located somewhere easy for customers to see. If they can see it from a distance, the suggestion alone may draw attention to the combo vending machine to buy from you instead of waiting until they go to the store or get home. With the glass front of the Futura Combo Vending Machine, it makes popular products like snack, candy, food, cans, and bottled products grab their attention.
It is always a great idea to place a machine in front of a business that has at least 50 or more employees. That guarantees a potential steady clientele. Business in the service industry are a great choice as they will draw customers that may be waiting for a car to be fixed, a haircut, or even getting your dog groomed. Look for businesses with services everyone needs and visit frequently.
The choices are limitless when you look for the right combination of factors. Record all of your research and you are sure to come up with the right solution for maximizing profits from vending machines. Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.
Call today to change your future

1-888-982-8128

Did you know that over 68% of consumers purchase soda from vending machines at least once a year? And over 62% of consumers purchase cheesy snacks or chips from a vending machine once a year? In fact, the vast majority of consumers have used a vending machine at least once to purchase a drink or snack in the past year. Like peanut butter and jelly or cookies and milk, snacks and beverages are a natural fit. Why not give customers the convenience of a combo vending machine that provides popular snack and drink choices in one machine?

eVending’s Futura Combo Vending Machine vends not only snacks, chips, candy, and gum, but also vends both canned and bottled for drink options. This glass front vendor allows customers to see the actual products they are choosing with its back-lit LED lighting and vast live product display window. Premium currency acceptors help take advantage of the credit / debit card reader options in addition to the standard electronic coin acceptor and $1 and $5 bill acceptor.

eVendings combo vending machines are designed to offer a wide variety of different treats with a relatively small footprint to conserve space and energy. Cutting edge technology and modern payment features will satisfy both you and your customers. eVending’s combo vending machines feature guaranteed vend technology that will ensure that sales do not go through until the item has been dispensed. This technology eliminates frustration from incomplete sales and jammed items.

Combination vending machines are the most versatile and profitable type of machines available. eVending’s Futura Combo machine is the best-selling combo machine on the market and is back by eVending’s 60 months Limited Parts Warranty. Plus, eVending offers complimentary, lifetime phone support through Vendnet for assistance on machine servicing and parts during normal business hour. We also offer a secure online credit application with affordable financing programs.

Affordable, high quality combo vending machines from eVending are a great choice for almost any location big or small. Call 1-888-982-8128 today. We are looking forward to helping you with all of your vending needs.

How to make the case for providing workplace vending machines and the importance of the 4Ps: Product, pricing, placement, and promotion
If your business is considering adding company vending machines, here are four key things to remember for vending success.
1. Product – What kind of vending do you intend to utilize? Do you need drinks, snacks or food? Maybe you are looking for a combination of options?
2. Pricing – Cheaper impulse items should be placed at eye level for a quick response from customers. Larger higher priced items such as food will be sought out by someone looking for meal options.
3. Placement – It is usually a good idea to vend healthier snack and drink options in health clubs, doctors’ offices or any location people will be concerned with eating right. If you need high energy options, they are perfect for locations such as skate parks or swimming pools.
4. Promotion – Promote seasonal items whenever possible giving your customers new unexpected flavors to help celebrate the holidays.
If you or your company are considering a vending machine service option for your location, it is important to come up with a solid plan for what kind of vending is needed.
• Are employees only going to use the machines?
• Will the public have access to your vending machines?
• Do you want to offer drinks, food, or snacks?
• Will frozen foods be an option?
• Are there going to be power outlets available?
• How much space will the machines take?
eVending has a vending machine option to fit any need whether big or small. We can help you with a solution to fit any size location. Our combo vending machines can be combined with individual snack or drink machines to add more flexibility to serve customers better. You are in complete control when it comes to deciding what you want to provide to make the best profit for your business. We not only provide superior vending equipment, we also help with online tech support and parts ordering to make your vending experience the best in the industry.
Call us today and let our team of experts help you get started with your vending business.

In today’s vending market cashless is a must have.
Why a combo vending machine coupled with cashless payment options is a home run for almost any type of business.
Watch your sales increase with a combo vending machine equipped with a credit card payment system. Not only will your customers have the ability to vend different snack, food or drink options, they will have the convenience of paying without cash. Credit card readers allow freedom from worrying whether your dollar bill will be accepted in the system or be kicked out. With a cashless vending machine there is no need to worry about having the correct change or the coins getting stuck or lost in the change machine.
Electronic payments are easy to track with our tracking software. You can log in and see how many transactions are going through your machine per day, week, or month. Web based account monitoring allows access anywhere you have access to the Internet. Even with your web enabled Smartphone! Cashless vending system options allow you to have a more flexible schedule and set your own hours by letting the machine do all the work.
Having a combo vending machine is great for almost any location and can become even more profitable for your business no matter how big or small with the cashless option.
In general, customers feel more comfortable knowing they are using a secure payment system from a reputable company and are more willing to swipe their credit card for vending purchases.
Give eVending a call today and let us help you find the perfect cashless combo vending machine for your location. We will get you started with our state of the art card reader.