Soda Fountains
Love to order a soda when you go to a restaurant? You might want to hold that thought.
A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that beverages from soda fountains often contain coliform bacteria. Researchers at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke tested 90 beverages -- sugar sodas, diet sodas and water -- from 30 soda fountains. Coliform bacteria was detected in 48% of the beverages and more than 11% contained E.
coli; other potentially-harmful microorganisms, including klebsiella, staphylococcus were also found. The researchers theorized that the internal plastic tubing in the machines might be harboring bacteria since few, if any restaurants actually clean those parts.
To reduce your risk: Skip the soda. If you must have some, order a bottle or can if possible.
A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that beverages from soda fountains often contain coliform bacteria. Researchers at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke tested 90 beverages -- sugar sodas, diet sodas and water -- from 30 soda fountains. Coliform bacteria was detected in 48% of the beverages and more than 11% contained E.
coli; other potentially-harmful microorganisms, including klebsiella, staphylococcus were also found. The researchers theorized that the internal plastic tubing in the machines might be harboring bacteria since few, if any restaurants actually clean those parts.
To reduce your risk: Skip the soda. If you must have some, order a bottle or can if possible.
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