Coke removes logo from school vending machines

The logos of companies like Coca-Cola and Mars are to be taken off vending machines in schools in the fight against child obesity.

Campaigners trying to reverse the growing levels of heart disease, diabetes and tooth decay had been hoping to secure a complete ban on school vending machines.

As a compromise, following negotiations with ministers, the companies have agreed to sell water and fruit juice alongside their own products.

The Government was reluctant to order a complete ban as in some schools vending machines raise tens of thousands for annual budgets. Now 2,000 machines owned by Coca-Cola and 1,200 owned by Masterfoods, who sell Mars, will have their logos removed.

At the moment the agreement only applies to schools in Scotland but similar deals covering the rest of the country are expected to be announced soon.

A recent Department of Health survey found that among 16 to 24-year-olds 32 per cent of men and 33 per cent of women are overweight.