Much of the early white papers on the legislation initiated by the Department of Health and the SFT focused on snacks within the junk food umbrella, hinting at a complete ban. Since then, the SFT has focused more clear definitions on the snack sector for vending and general sale, with strict regulations put in place on oil and sugar content.

It has now reached the point where 100 per cent fruit-based products fall outside the legislation and are deemed illegal, as the use of natural sugars in fruit juices is seen as added sugar. The same is true when looking at the additions of oils, which has amplified the problem. This has had a major impact on school products, resulting in healthy products being removed from the school offering.

The SFT has now offered leeway on this ruling which has allowed certain products back into the market, however the limits on products still stand in many cases and even products considered to be healthy or healthier alternatives in the normal retail and foodservice markets are excluded from sale in vending machines in schools.

The problem has become so acute, in fact, that a number of brands and manufacturers have withdrawn from the school sector altogether as a direct result of these issues.

Sun Valley has been a pioneer in the healthy snacks market and we continue to make big strides in the sector with regular product launches and constant NPD. In particular, our ‘Just' range, new to the market in 2007, and the core ‘You Are What You Eat' range were launched to meet the growing demand for healthy eating across all sectors. You Are What You Eat has become the fastest growing healthy nut brand and the entire range is available to vendors in 40g snack packs. The Just range made waves when it first launched, proving hugely popular with the kids market and ideal for vending - both the Raisinz and the Fruitz & Seedz ranges are approved for use in school vending and while the Just Berriez range also carries the five-a-day logo.

It's not just manufacturers that have been affected by the strict legislation surrounding snacks for vending; some of the major wholesale providers are reluctant to embrace healthy brands and have opted for the development of own label products despite these being less attractive to a brand focused children's market.

However the impact of the legislation continues to make positive A-roads in terms of educating the population on the importance of healthy eating, especially with the younger generation of consumers. As these messages become more universally acknowledged the potential for increased profit and sales in the vending and healthy snacks market will grow and should be grabbed by the vending industry with both hands. We are already seeing indications of this in the vending market so the outlook is great for the coming years. Overall the potential for growth in the healthy snacks sector is huge and the NPD in this area will continue to open up exciting avenues to the vending industry.

http://www.sun-valley.co.uk/

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---