Prince George's County, MD Public Health Rules: Calorie Labeling (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Vending machines on County-owned property only
- Labeling standard
- 21 CFR §§ 101, 109 (FDA nutrition labeling)
- Healthy-item contract threshold
- 65% of items since July 1, 2019
- Beverage cap
- 250 calories, 20 fluid ounces max
- Standards review cycle
- At least every 5 years, Sec. 12-214
Summary
Prince George's County requires every vending machine on County-owned property to display nutritional labeling that meets federal FDA standards, and to price healthier items at or below the cost of less healthy ones, under Code Sec. 12-213. The rule applies only to County-owned or leased vending machines, not private restaurants.
(a)Food and beverage items that meet the Healthy Vending Standards in Section 12-211 must be comparatively priced or less expensive than products that do not meet the standards.(b)All vending machines shall display nutritional labeling that, at a minimum, complies with the standards for nutritional labeling set forth in 21 CFR, sections 101 and 109, as may be amended from time to time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Division 11 of the Health Code, 'Healthy Vending Requirements,' governs vending machines located on County Property, defined in Sec. 12-207 as any property owned, operated, or managed by Prince George's County, excluding Board of Education property. Sec. 12-213(a) requires that food and beverage items meeting the Healthy Vending Standards in Sec. 12-211 be comparatively priced or less expensive than products that do not meet those standards. Subsection (b) is the labeling mandate: all vending machines must display nutritional labeling that, at a minimum, complies with the standards for nutritional labeling set forth in 21 CFR, Sections 101 and 109, as may be amended from time to time.
That labeling duty sits alongside numeric limits set in Sec. 5 grams of trans-fat per serving and 200 milligrams of sodium per package, and beverages are capped at 250 calories and 20 fluid ounces per container. Healthy Food Choices, defined in Sec. 12-210, must be no more than 200 calories per package, under 35% of calories from fat, and under 10% from saturated fat. New and renewed vending contracts had to meet a 50% healthy-item threshold starting July 1, 2017, rising to 65% for contracts entered on or after July 1, 2019, per Sec.
12-211(a)-(b). The Health Department reviews and updates these standards at least once every five years under Sec. 12-214. Because the Division applies 24 hours a day only to machines on County Property (Sec. 12-208), it does not reach vending machines in privately owned restaurants, offices, or stores.
Violations & Fines
Division 11 does not set out its own civil fine schedule; it is administered jointly by the Health Department, which can require corrective vending contract or labeling changes, and the County Purchasing Department, which can extend or condition County vending contracts on compliance. Because the mandate runs through the vending service contract rather than a licensing scheme, noncompliant machines are typically addressed by requiring the contractor to bring pricing, labeling, and product mix into line with Secs. 12-209 through 12-213 before a contract renews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Prince George's County require calorie labels on all vending machines?
Do healthier vending items have to cost less in PG County?
What calorie limit applies to vending machine beverages on County property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
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