As used in this Division. Vending machine shall mean a self-service machine offered for public use that, on insertion of a coin, paper, currency, token, card, or key, or by optional manual operation, dispenses servings of food or beverages in bulk or in packages, or prepared by the machine, without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vended operation Packaged shall mean bottled, canned, securely bagged, or securely wrapped, whether packaged in a food establishment or a food processing plant. Healthy Food Or Beverage Choices shall mean a packaged food or beverage that meets the requirements to be a healthy food choice or a healthy beverage choice established in Section 12-211. County Property shall mean any property owned, operated or managed by Prince George's County. County Property does not include property owned or managed by the Prince George's County Board of Education.

This Division applies only to packaged food and beverages sold through vending machines located on County Property. This Division shall be implemented in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The requirements of this Division shall apply 24 hours a day. If a food and beverage machine located on County Property has been leased to a private entity, the Health Department shall encourage the tenant to meet the requirements of this Division.

The following criteria must be met by all items offered in vending machines. Any packaged food and beverage item offered shall contain no more than: 0.5 grams of trans-fat per serving; and 200 milligrams of sodium per package. Any beverage container offered shall contain no more than: 250 calories; and 20 fluid ounces.

Healthy Food Choices shall meet the following specifications: Individual Healthy Food Choices offered in vending machines must meet the following criteria: No more than 200 calories per package; Less than 35% of total calories from fat except for foods containing 100% nuts or seeds with no added fats; Less than 10% of calories from saturated fat; and No more than 35% of calories from total sugars except for 1%, 2%, or non-fat dairy products, non-dairy milk products, fruits and vegetables. At least one healthy food choice offered must meet the Food and Drug Administration's definition of "low sodium" (<140 milligrams per serving). Sugarless chewing gum and mints also meet healthy food choices specifications. Healthy Beverage Choices shall meet the following specifications: Individual Healthy Beverage Choices offered in vending machines must contain fewer than 40 calories per serving unless specified below. The following beverages also meet Healthy Beverage Choices nutritional standards even though they exceed 40 calories per serving: Fat-free milk; 1% low fat dairy milk; Calcium or vitamin D fortified soy milk with less than 200 calories per container; packages containing 12 ounces or less of 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice or fruit juice combined with water with no added caloric sweeteners and no more than 200 milligrams of sodium per container. Vegetable juice must contain <230 milligrams of sodium per serving.

All new vending machine service contracts and all vending machine service contract renewals entered into by covered entities in Section 12-209(a) on or after July 1, 2017 must require that at least 50% of the food and beverage items offered in vending machines meet the requirements listed in Section 12-211. Upon recommendation of the County Executive and approval by County Council resolution, all new vending machine service contracts and all vending machine service contract renewals entered into by covered entities in Section 12-209(a) on or after July 1, 2019 must require that at least 65% of the food and beverage items offered in vending machines meet the requirements listed in Section 12-211. The County Purchasing Department will ensure that Prince George's County municipalities can use any resultant contract that the County enters into for vending services thereby extending the contract's pricing, terms, and conditions to help facilitate easy compliance with this Division.

Healthy Food or Beverage Choices shall: Be displayed in a way that is easily distinguishable from food and beverages that do not meet Healthy Vending Standards listed in Section 12-211; and Be stocked in positions with highest selling potential. Water without added caloric sweeteners is required to be stocked in beverage machines. Beverages that do not meet the Healthy Vending Standards listed in Section 12-211 shall be placed in positions with the lowest selling potential.

Food and beverage items that meet the Healthy Vending Standards in Section 12-211 must be comparatively priced or less expensive than products that do not meet the standards. All vending machines shall display nutritional labeling that, at a minimum, complies with the standards for nutritional labeling set forth in 21 CFR, sections 101 and 109, as may be amended from time to time.

From time to time but at least once every five (5) years, the Department shall review, and if necessary, suggest updates to the Healthy Vending Standards in Section 12-211 to reflect advancements in nutrition science, dietary data, new product availability, and/or updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.