Leading market research company, Mintel has found that the British spent a staggering £57 per head of population on chocolate in 2008 - second only to Switzerland. The UK is, however, developing a healthier appetite when it comes to chocolate confectionery. Reduced sugar chocolate launches rose from just six in 2007 to 26 in 2008, gluten free chocolate launches from 13 in 2007 to 40 in 2008 and additive free chocolate from 22 in 2007 to 46 in 2008. The healthy eating message is, it would seem, finally starting to filter through to the masses as workplaces, shopping centres, gyms and other leisure facilities help to lead the way.

A recent report by Emerald Insight said that while 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. 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 had 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,” it said.

This was supported by Mintel research which revealed that sales of sports and energy drinks were set to hit the £1billion mark by the end of 2009. After a healthy growth of 51% between 2004 and 2008, sales of sports and energy drinks continued to thrive. “Even in 2008, as economic pressures put the skids on previously growing non-alcoholic markets such as smoothies and bottled water, this market grew by 10% from £855 million in 2007 to reach £941 million in 2008.”

Vending machines in schools: the future

In September 2007, the new standards for food in schools other than lunches became compulsory. All food sold in schools, including in vending machines, must now contribute to a child’s nutrition.

The vending industry has been quick to adapt to these changes and turn them to their advantage. Vending machines can still offer combination drinks, containing 50% juice, as long as there is no added sugar. And schools such as Sandwich Technology College and Sponne School Technology College was making made a success out of healthy vending. The Sandwich Technology College report that they are making 45-50% gross profit from machines, according to the School Food Trust. Vending machines can therefore play a positive role in promoting healthy eating as part of a whole school approach.

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, it is claimed.

Also available from vending machines, options like these prevent breakfast being replaced with an 11 o’clock chocolate bar or bag of crisps!

California Raisins 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 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.

Talking to Vending International, the company explained why California Raisins are so popular: “Well, they’re 100% natural to start with. The only additives used to produce California Raisins are sunshine and mountain water. When a box of raisins arrives at your door, you can rest assured that they will be clean, complete and ready for immediate use, or conditioning if you desire. They contain no seeds, stems or grit to spoil mouthfeel, and with the strictest quality control carried out by the packers, no discoloured, damaged, mouldy, undeveloped or substandard raisins will be present. California Raisins are sweet, juicy and intensely fruity. They’re healthy and nutritious, and have a variety of different uses in addition to them being a tasty snack.”

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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