Derry and Strabane council commits to making vending machines healthier
The council has announced that it will continue its rollout of new nutritional standards for vending machines across its public venues, following a successful pilot in Foyle Arena last year.
A spokesperson for the council said the initiative aligns with the Department of Health’s Obesity Prevention Strategy, Healthy Futures, which identifies the introduction of healthier food environments in public sector settings. Building on the successful implementation of nutritional standards in Health and Social Care facilities, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has worked in collaboration with local councils to extend these standards to vending services in all public spaces.
In a bid to improve public health, the council rolled out the initiative across vending machines in Foyle Arena in 2025. The Council said that feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive with staff and visitors at the leisure centre noting that 93% of respondents were satisfied with the revised vending machine offerings under the new standards. Further results showed a 26% reduction in average calories and a 35% reduction in sugar per unit sold.
The standards introduce calorie limits on snacks such as crisps, chocolate, and sweets, along with a reduction in the number of sugary drinks available.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are committed to promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone across our district. This initiative, delivered in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, is an important step towards creating healthier environments in our public spaces.
“By improving the nutritional quality of vending options, we are helping to make healthier choices more accessible for staff, residents, and visitors, while continuing to invest in the long-term health of our communities.”