Nutrition Standards to Be Implemented for Food, Beverages Sold on D.C. Government Property

The District of Columbia City Council this week overrode Mayor Vincent
Gray’s veto of the 2015 budget, which includes a directive for the issuance
of “healthy food and beverage standards” for vending machine and other
concession offerings sold or served on District government property.

Encouraging fare that includes fruits, vegetables and other offerings low
in calories and sodium, the Workplace Wellness Emergency Act of 2014
standards will “apply to foods and beverages purchased or served by District
agencies, including at meetings, events, in vending machines, and through
on-site vendors, with the exception of food served by the Department of
Corrections and the Department of Behavioral Health to persons who reside
at their institutions or are in their direct custody.”

The council also reportedly approved a proposal to prohibit polystyrene foam
food and beverage containers beginning in 2016; meat trays will be exempt
from the ban. See The Washington Post, July 14, 2014.

Issue 530