Are Soda Fountains Offering Wide Variety of Carbonated Beverages with Deadly Superbug Infection?
Key Highlights :
Soda fountains are a staple in the world of casual dining and fast food, offering a wide variety of carbonated beverages with unlimited refills. But while these machines dispense a range of flavoured sodas, a new study has detected deadly ‘superbug’ bacteria in 41% of soda fountains, raising significant health and safety concerns.
The survey was conducted in the eastern Coachella Valley, a vast agricultural area on the east of Los Angeles, and is primarily populated by Latino farmworkers. Thomas Hile, a researcher affiliated with Loma Linda University and the lead author of the study, told USA TODAY that “We cannot say that soda fountain contamination is only in the eastern Coachella Valley.”
Joan Rose, a microbiologist at Michigan State University who was not involved with the study, told the New York Times, “It’s a concern that they found these pathogens. It’s clearly an indicator that we need to do more investigations like this. We just don’t know how big the threat is.”
The ‘superbug’ germs found in the soda fountains include antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, listeria, salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can lead to infections that are difficult to treat, potentially causing severe illness or even death in vulnerable individuals.
The source of contamination could be related to the maintenance and hygiene practices of the soda fountain equipment, water supply or even the handling of drinks. Establishing and enforcing strict hygiene and sanitisation protocols for all equipment involved in the soda fountain operation is therefore crucial.
Previous studies have also detected antibiotic-resistant microbes and E.coli in soda samples from soda fountain machines. In 2015, a former New York City restaurant server reported finding “dozens upon dozens of cockroaches” in a soda fountain. In 2017, Florida state health inspectors discovered “slimy black and green slimy mold-like substances” in soda fountain nozzles. In 2021, maggots were found in a McDonald’s dipping sauce dispenser in Gloucestershire.
To prevent bacterial growth and contamination, regular cleaning and maintenance of soda fountain equipment is essential. Consumers should be made aware of this issue and advised to take precautions while health authorities and regulatory bodies should be involved to ensure that businesses are following safety and sanitation guidelines. The quality of the water used in the soda fountains must also be closely monitored and maintained to prevent bacterial contamination, and water treatment and filtration systems may need to be upgraded to ensure safety and prevent potential health crises.
