Pizza vending machine leaves health police choking
Dough not put that here! Pizza vending machine leaves health police choking as doctors criticise move during ‘obesity epidemic’
- Machine planned for D-Day Story museum’s car park in Southsea, Portsmouth
- Customers can choose from a selection of pizzas including the Notorious PIG
- Orders placed on touchscreen followed by wait for machine to heat up the pizza
- But Portsmouth Council attacked for installing machine amid ‘obesity pandemic’
For fans it would be the ultimate fast food convenience.
But in today’s weight conscious times, the idea of a pizza vending machine has given health campaigners severe indigestion.
The machine, planned for The D-Day Story museum’s seafront car park in Southsea, Portsmouth, provides pizzas 24 hours a day in less than four minutes.
Customers can choose from a selection of pizzas including the Notorious PIG, topped with pulled ham hock, cheddar, bacon and fresh pineapple.
Prices range from £6.50 to £9.95. Orders are placed using a touchscreen, followed by a wait for the machine to heat up the pizza, before it emerges through a slit in a takeaway cardboard box with a wooden knife to cut it.
Doctors have attacked Portsmouth council for putting in an installation application during an ‘obesity epidemic’.
The UK’s first pizza vending machine (pictured) planned for The D-Day Story museum’s seafront car park in Southsea, Portsmouth
But the council says its intention is to provide ‘quality food and drink’ on the seafront.
Pizza Rebellion, the makers of the pizza, say they use ‘healthy ingredients’ while offering convenience.
In a comment on the planning application, published on the council website, Dr Karen Malone, from The Old Fire Station Surgery in Southampton, wrote: ‘I am quite frankly appalled that this is even being considered by the council.
‘We currently have an epidemic of both obesity and poor metabolic health, leading to chronic diseases that impact negatively on the health and wellbeing of the community.’
She added: ‘It could be argued that it is possible for pizza to be healthy. Yes it can, but for the most part they aren’t.
‘Regardless, this will promote the mindset that ultra-processed food is healthy and dissuade individuals from accessing or making their own real food options.’
Mark Hancock, from East Hants Primary Care Network, and The Grange Surgery in Petersfield, also commented on the ‘obesity and diabetes epidemic’, adding: ‘Just a stroll along Southsea seafront will tell you everything you need to know about how the average person’s body shape has changed over the decades.
‘As an NHS Health and Wellbeing Coach, I ask the council to withdraw this application and start to truly focus on the health of the local area, not just ways to make more money.’
Katharine Jenner – director at campaign groups Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, said: ‘If Portsmouth City Council has to resort to pizza vending machines in car parks, there is something seriously wrong with their perception of “quality food and drink’”.
Pizza Rebellion, the makers of the pizza, say they use ‘healthy ingredients’ while offering convenience
‘As the UK’s obesity crisis continues to escalate at pace, it’s disappointing that the local council is adding to the problem with its plans to install a vending machine selling pizza rather than taking meaningful action to improve the food already available on the seafront.
‘High-fat, energy-dense products contribute to the growing levels of obesity.’
The application comes after analysis earlier this month revealed the proportion of obese people will surpass those of a healthy weight by the end of the decade.
A spokesman for Portsmouth City Council said: ‘We’re always looking for new ways of providing quality food and drink on the seafront.
‘This vending machine is an innovative idea and could be very popular.
‘If planning approval is given, the intention would be to run it for a trial period.’
William Jack, founder of Pizza Rebellion, said: ‘The controversy has been stirred up over Portsmouth submitting and backing the application – personally I feel it’s incredibly forward-thinking of them.
‘Our product is highly researched and far healthier than other pizza chains.’
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