The Everest Blog

Not all ice and water vending machines are NAMA-certified; Everest’s machines are. Is the machine you’re considering safe for you and your customers? Has a third party told you this or just the person trying to sell you a machine?

Here you will learn about NAMA’s vending machine standards and why it’s important to get a NAMA-listed vending machine.

WHAT IS NAMA CERTIFCATION?

The National Automatic Machine Association (NAMA) represents the U.S. convenience services industry and provides certification to vending machine manufacturers. They certify manufacturers whose machines meet the public health requirements set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Machines are evaluated to the applicable design and construction specifications of the latest edition of the U.S. Public Health Service Model Food Code. In addition to this, they also have to meet the requirements of the NAMA Standard for the Sanitary Design and Construction of Food and Beverage Vending Machines. All evaluations are conducted by NAMA through consultants who specialize in public health and environmental issues.

When a machine meets the requirements of these two specifications, 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. Following the issuance of the compliance letter, the manufacturer is authorized to display the “NAMA Listed” service mark on its LISTED machines.

New machine models are certified by NAMA. Once certified, machines are re-evaluated annually to ensure ongoing compliance to NAMA certification standards.

WHY DOES NAMA VENDING CERTIFICATION MATTER?

First, it means that our machines are built with your customer’s health and safety in mind.  Secondly, it provides you with peace of mind. Subsequently, you will have the peace of mind to know that your new Everest machine is built safe to be safe.

You have the assurance that a credible, objective, third-party certified professional – widely recognized by public health officials- will view our machines. Moreover, these professionals have evaluated, tested, and verified that our vending machines comply with public health standards and the NAMA Construction Standard. 

NAMA certification is a demonstration of the manufacturer’s intent and capability to promote public health. Furthermore, by purchasing a NAMA-certified machine, you are demonstrating that you as a vendor also value the health and safety of your customers.

Not all ice and water vending machines are reviewed this strenuously. We do the work to make sure yours will be. Have questions? Contact us for more information.