Ministry's snack food sets the bar

Diet soft drinks, muesli bars, 99 per cent fat-free sweets - the Ministry of Health practices what it preaches in the contents of its vending machines.

Under guidelines last updated in June, the ministry has sent notice to its suppliers that it has banned some food products, including:

* Full-strength sugar-sweetened drinks.

* Sweets and chocolates.

* Chips and crisps.

Items in a typical ministry vending machine include crackers, a sugar-free energy drink, beef sticks, a breakfast drink, protein bars, nut bars, natural licorice and light popcorn.

One machine had a party-mix of sweets, but it was 99 per cent fat-free. Another had a 97 per cent fat-free banana slice.

Senior adviser Dr Doug Lush said the ministry wanted to set the standard, and he hoped it would be an example for other workplaces.

"We believe as a health organisation that we can show leadership in this area."

But he said many vendors had withdrawn their services because they could not comply with the guidelines.

"They've taken their machines out, and now there are no vending machines at all in the Molesworth St building."

About 400 staff work in the building, and Dr Lush said the ministry was looking for a vendor with the right food.