Fecal Bacteria Found In Drinks Sold By UK's 3 Major Coffee Chains

Fecal bacteria has been found in drinks sold by Britain’s three major coffee chains.

Ice from three of the UK’s biggest coffee chains has been found to contain bacteria from faeces.

According to an investigation by a BBC watchdog, iced drinks from Starbucks, Caffe Nero, and Costa all had traces of the fecal-derived pathogen.

RT reports:

Seven out of 10 samples from Costa, which has been voted the nation’s favorite coffee shop for the third year in a row, were found to contain the bacteria.

Three out of 10 samples from Starbucks and Caffe Nero were found to contain the bacteria, known as fecal coliform.

Tony Lewis of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health said the results are “concerning.”

“These should not be present at any level – never mind the significant numbers found,” he said.

Lewis warned that such “opportunistic pathogens” are the cause of “human disease.”

All three chains said they are now investigating the issue.

Costa, where customers can choose their iced drink from a range of six different flavors, said it had updated its ice-producing guidelines and sought out new equipment.

Starbucks said it is conducting its own investigation into the allegations, adding that it takes hygiene “extremely seriously.”

Likewise, Caffe Nero, another award-winning and multinational coffee chain, said it is “thoroughly” investigating the claims and that it will act upon the findings.