The AVA is working with University College Birmingham on a Culinary Product Development challenge, which requires students to develop tasty products suitable for vending at no more than 250 calories.
Dr. Norton will join the judging panel on December 9th to select the winning snack which will then go on sale across North Bristol NHS Trust, as part of a trial that aims to see the introduction of healthy vending products across all UK NHS Trusts.
Norton said: “These nutritionally balanced products are a step in the right direction, offering consumers healthier alternatives when making buying choices. We hope that this will be the start of a new approach to vending and a way for consumers to use vending machines as a vehicle for healthier lifestyle choices.”
Statistics show that two-thirds of us are overweight. One in five young people and one in four adults in the UK now suffer from obesity, costing the NHS more than £5bn each year. Furthermore, the McKinsey report published on 20 November 2014, suggests that half of the global adult population will be overweight in 15 years’ time, and put the global annual cost of obesity at $2tn, equivalent to 2.8 per cent of the world’s economic output.
Last month, the new chief executive of the NHS, Simon Stevens, revealed plans to put its 1.35 million staff at the head of a new fight against obesity, amid talks of removing vending machines from hospital settings.
Jonathan Hilder, CEO of the AVA, says: “We do not believe that banning vending in hospitals outright will have a positive impact upon the nation’s obesity crisis - it will simply drive consumers to alternative retail outlets.
“The solution lies in an informed education campaign that redresses the balance between healthy eating and overindulgence and our partnership with Dr Sally Norton will help us gain a better understanding of how to achieve this and offer our constructive support.”
Dr Sally Norton has also founded her own free-to-enter independent awards scheme, Vavista Awards, to recognise companies who help consumers make healthier choices. The Vavista Awards logo on packaging is a clear indication to consumers of the healthier credentials of a product compared to others in its field. In partnership with the AVA, Vavista Awards will develop a specific award to recognise companies that support healthier vending.
Hilder concluded: “Through our partnership with UCB and our relationship with Dr Sally Norton, we aim to increase the availability of healthy choices and launch a powerful and sustained campaign of education to ensure the nation understands the importance of a nutritionally balanced diet.
“We hope that this will be the start of a new generation of healthier products available through vending.”