William Atkins
Friday, 08 January 2010 20:43
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 4
According to a study performed in Virginia, U.S. researchers found coliform bacteria (fecal material) in just under 50% of the soda fountain machines inspected in restaurants and fast food places. Maybe the term “soda pop” should be changed to “soda poop” when coming out of soda fountain machines? Ugh!!
The summary of their research was written up in the
International Journal of Food Microbiology under the title “
Beverages obtained from soda fountain machines in the U.S. contain microorganisms, including coliform bacteria.”
Its authors are Carolyn Belling, Victoria Kasza, and Rebecca L. Beach (all three from the Department of Biology, Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A.),
Renee D. Godard (from the Department of Environmental Studies, Hollins University), and Amy S. White (from the Department of Biology, Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke).
The researchers, first, analyzed ninety (90) beverages from twenty (20) self-service and ten (10) personnel-dispensed soda fountains. The beverages included sugar sodas, diet sodas, and water.
The restaurants and fast food places visited were in the Roanoke Valley in Virginia, within the east-central portion of the United States.
The beverages were analyzed to determine if they contained microbial contamination. A determination was made based on U.S. drinking water regulations.
Page two talks about a second round of inspections made by the researchers of Virginia soda pop machines in restaurants and fast food places.
