However, the survey also found that almost a third snacked on biscuits/cakes and a further fifth on crisps/savoury snacks - an area in which the vending industry comes under scrutiny for supplying such ‘convenience food’ at the push of a button. Indeed, a recent report by Emerald Insight said that whilst consumers are clearly concerned by the healthiness of their hearts, sedentary lifestyles and the prevalence of fatty foods and beverages mean that the number of heart health problems is increasing year-on-year. The threat of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease is growing all the time it says. However, “Consumers do believe that certain foods can have a positive impact on long-term and current health. This has helped facilitate wider acceptance of the term ‘functional foods’. Fibre and omega-3 are two ingredients which particularly resonate with consumers for their heart health benefits,” said the report.

Continuing this theme, a 2008 report by Datamonitor entitled: Functional Food, Drinks & Ingredients: Consumer Attitudes & Trends, said that consumers have moved beyond choosing food and drinks simply to maintain everyday health. They are now seeking to optimize performance and reduce the risk, or delay the onset of diseases with functional food and drinks. This report explains that the market drivers for functional product growth will have more influence than the inhibitors, making it a highly important area for investment.

Just-Food backs up this point, suggesting that though functional food and beverages are commonly associated with senior citizens trying to maintain vitality and reduce the risk of disease, lifestyle changes are resulting in younger consumers purchasing functional foods with greater regularity to combat a range of different health problems faced on a daily basis, such as fatigue.

Industry rises to the challenge of healthy eating

Nature Valley produces snack bars packed with wholegrain oats which are available in a number of vending machines. Eating a diet rich in whole grains can aid in numerous ways – from helping to maintain a healthy body weight to helping maintain optimal digestive health, says the company.

Quakers Original Oat Bars with Golden Syrup are made with toasted rolled oats and lightly bound with golden syrup for a convenient and sustaining snack. They are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, and contain 20% - 45% less sugar per bar than most other cereal bars says the company.

Also available from vending machines, options like this prevent breakfast being replaced with an 11 o’clock chocolate bar or bag of crisps, the benefits of which are fairly obvious.

California Raisins claim to fit perfectly into healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle. They are a great source of natural energy and make it easy to satisfy the daily fruit requirements set by the government’s 5 A Day programme. The great thing about California Raisins is that unlike seasonal fruit they are available all year round and always accessible, making them perfect for Vending.

Weetabix meanwhile, developed Oaty Bars to provide a healthier snack for children. High in fibre to help maintain a healthy digestive system, they are said to contain almost half the sugar of an average kid’s cereal bar and with added prebiotic, are a healthier choice all round says the company.

Just a handful of the healthy choices available: achieving a healthy balanced diet is as high on Industry’s agenda as it is the consumer’s.

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