Machine Evaluation Program

The NAMA Vending Machine Evaluation Program
The Program is a service initiated by the National Automatic Merchandising Association in 1957 to enable vending machine manufacturers to build equipment in conformity with the public health requirements set forth in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public Health Service Model Food Code. It also provides a means by which vending operators, customers, public health regulatory officials, military personnel and other user groups can identify those machines which meet both the FDA food code and NAMA design and construction standards.

Who May Participate
The evaluation program is open to all vending machine manufacturers, re-manufacturers and suppliers of conversion equipment. A company must be a member of NAMA to participate.

Types of Machines Evaluated
The evaluation program is limited to food, beverage and water "vending machines", as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Public Health Service. Under that definition, a vending machine is any self-service device which, upon insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card or key, dispenses unit servings of food, either in bulk or in packages, without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation. It includes self-service dispensers equipped for coin, paper currency, token card or key operation and optional manual operation. Vending machines that are designed for dispensing products other than food are not included in the evaluation program.

Evaluation Standard
Machines are evaluated to the applicable design and construction specifications of the latest edition of the U.S. Public Health Service Model Food Code, and the further requirements of the NAMA Standard for the Sanitary Design and Construction of Food and Beverage Vending Machines. All evaluations are conducted by public health consultants who are specialists in public health and environmental issues. These consultants are retained under contract with NAMA.

When a machine meets the requirements of these two documents, a "Letter of Compliance" is issued by the public health consultant identifying the machine by manufacturer, model and the date the certification was first issued. Manufacturers are then authorized to display the "NAMA Listed" service mark on its LISTED machines.

Evaluations are conducted at the site of manufacturer; depending upon test facilities needed, at a location which can accommodate the evaluation.

Water Vending Machine "Code of Practice"

Manufacturers of water vending machines take pride in delivering to its customer’s quality water meeting strict standards. In August 2007 NAMA completed the Water Vending Machine Code of Practice. The Code of Practice establishes a comprehensive set of standards for NAMA members to use to ensure product safety and quality in the water vending industry through construction and performance.

The water vending industry routinely employs additional measure to further the protection of its product beginning with the source water on though to the dispensing of the water into our customers containers. Manufacturers of water vending machines enhanced their own requirements though this Code of Practice. To learn more, click here.

Why Certify?
Public health, agriculture and military agencies widely accept the evaluation program. Many governmental and military foodservice regulations require that all food, beverage and water vending machines meet recognized national public health standards.

Operators have the assurance that a credible, objective, third party certified - widely recognized by the public health officials - has evaluated, tested and verified that the vending machines they purchase comply with public health standards and the NAMA Construction Standard. Manufacturers' participation in the program demonstrate their intent and capability to promote public health by providing machines complying with NAMA Construction Standard.

AMHIC
The Automatic Merchandising Health-Industry Council (AMHIC) is an advisory group to NAMA. Its members represent national public health associations, FDA Public Health Service, state and local regulatory officials, three branches of the Armed Forces, and representatives from manufacturers, operators and suppliers. AMHIC developed the Design and Construction Standard, and most of the policies used by NAMA in its evaluation program. It also functions to keep all of the documents current. Aside from the evaluation program, AMHIC also advises NAMA in all of its other health and safety program activities. To access a complete list of current AMHIC Members, click here.

Upon AMHIC recommendations, NAMA adopted extensive administrative controls which cover evaluation procedures, Letters of Compliance issuance and withdrawal, affidavits, machine re-evaluation and many other aspects of the program. These are contained in NAMA's Machine Evaluation Program Administrative Policies booklet. Other evaluation program materials include the AMHIC Organization and Bylaws, and the current edition of the Listing of Certified Food and Beverage Vending Machines. All these materials are available from NAMA upon request.

NAMA underwrites the program, administers the details of machine submission, bills manufacturers, and publishes the Listing Book of machines which have been certified.