Wales to remove crisps and chocolate from hospital machines

Vending machines located in most NHS hospitals throughout Wales will no longer be filled with crisps and sugary snacks, it has emerged.

The country will be the first region of the UK to take such action and also remove chocolate and fizzy drinks from the automatic dispensers.

The move comes as part of the Labour-Plaid Cymru assembly government’s belief that hospitals should provide healthier options.

It said it would work with vending machine suppliers to find more nutritious alternatives to crisps and sweets.

“We need to create an environment where it is easier for people to make healthy choices and our public sector settings should be an exemplar of best practice – particularly our hospitals,” said health minister Edwina Hart.

It is thought that some of the first vending machines appeared in London in the 1880s and sold postcards.

However, many believe Hero of Alexander invented the coin-operated model in Ancient Greece.