Faecal caliform bacteria was found in the ice used by three major UK coffee chains. Specifically, the chains were Costa, Caffe Nero, and Starbucks. The presence of the bacteria indicates the possibility that other bacteria found in fecal matter could be present in the ice. The level of bacteria well exceeded the amount allowed by UK law. A similar case was reported at a Birmingham KFC. However, the head of the institution that made these findings insisted it was nothing for the public to panic over because the chains were taking the reports very seriously.

Key Takeaways:

• Undercover investigation units found out that three UK coffee chains had fecal bacteria in their iced coffee offerings.
• Seven of the ten samples from Costa registered as positive, while Cafe Nero and Starbucks achieved three positive results out of ten each.
• The BBC Watchdog program, responsible for unearthing the story, received word from the coffee establishments that steps were to be taken.

“It is an indicator that somewhere there has been some kind of breakdown in hygiene or the source of the water used for this ice.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/28/faecal-bacteria-found-ice-three-major-uk-chains-caffe-nero-starbucks-costa-coffee