Soft Drink Vending Machines To Be Retrofitted By Vendo

WASHINGTON -- The Vendo Company of Fresno, California announced that it has begun implementation of a voluntary retrofit program for Vendo soft drink vending machines in order to prevent serious injury or death to consumers from tip-over of vending machines. The retrofit consists of anti-theft devices (provided by Vendo to soft drink bottling companies) which prevent the dispensing of free products when the machines are tipped or rocked by consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the company said that the retrofit program extends to approximately 115,000 Vendo soft drink machines with widths in excess of 38.5 inches which were manufactured between 1982 and 1985 without anti-theft devices. Vendo has also provided warning labels designed specifically for the retrofitted machines.

CPSC said that within the last several years there have been reports of an increasing number of deaths and injuries involving tip-over of Vendo's vending machines which dispense free products when rocked or tipped. Most accidents are believed to have been the result of people tilting, shaking or rocking the machine in an effort to obtain a free product or the return of their money. CPSC warned consumers that such actions could cause serious injury or death if the machine topples on them.

Vendo said it has launched the retrofit program by mailing anti-theft kits and installation instructions to bottling company customers. The public may obtain information about the retrofit program by calling Vendo at (209) 439-1770.