Calorie Count of Coke and Pepsi Products to be Displayed on Vending Machines

Soft drink giants Coke and Pepsi, along with Dr Pepper, have announced that they will be installing new soda machines that will list calorie counts of different products.

The soda industry has been accused of fuelling rising obesity rates due to the lack of any clear information regarding the amount of calories that each can contains. With various city councils considering regulations that make it mandatory for restaurants and to post calorie information, Coke, Pepsi and Dr Pepper's have said that they will be installing new vending machines first in Chicago and San Antonio municipal buildings by next year before launching it nationwide.

The vending machines will display calorie count on each button that people press to select their drinks and will also have advise consumers to "Check and Choose" as well as offer suggestion to "Try a Low-Calorie Beverage".

The announcement though has not surprised many, with experts believing that the companies had seen the writing on the wall. "They're seeing the writing on the wall and want to say that it's corporate responsibility. Currently, people don't think about calories when they go up to a vending machine. Having the calories right on the button will help them make choices", Center for Science in the Public Interest's Mike Jacobson said.



Source: Medindia