Sugary Sodas Dumped From Auckland’s Leisure Centers

29 Jul 2016 --- Auckland City Council has dropped all sugary drinks from its vending machine across state-run leisure centers as part of the crackdown on obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The New Zealand authority runs 21 leisure centers around the city and dumping sugary drinks equates to ditching 85,000 sugar cubes. The majority of drinks will be replaced with healthier alternatives including water, unflavored milk and 100 percent fruit juice.

The move is welcomed by vice president of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) who spoke with FoodIngredientsFirst.

“We congratulate Auckland City Council on this positive move to take sugary drinks out of leisure centers,” says Jane Martin.

“We know that sugary drinks contribute to overweight and obesity in adults and children, so it is great to see this leadership in supporting the community and making the healthy choice the easy choice.”

Auckland Council licenses out the operation of other food operations within its leisure centers and following the decision to snub sugary sodas, officials are now looking at the possibility of switching to healthier alternative across other areas of council operations.

“It just doesn’t fit to sell sugary drinks in places where we are trying to support healthier lifestyles,” says Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town.

“We are not telling people what to drink, but we are offering them better choices in our facilities that are focused on health.”

by Gaynor Selby