UPDATE: July 21, 2017 at 2:30 p.m.
Ice lovers beware. After confirming that samples of ice from the United Kingdom's most popular coffee shops contained fecal coliform, Watchdog, a BBC consumer series, has announced another huge bombshell. Fecal coliform, a.k.a poop bacteria, was found samples of ice from McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC.
All three companies have responded to the report immediately. A spokesperson from KFC said in a statement, "We are shocked and extremely disappointed." Burger King's statement focused on expressing it's dedication to "cleanliness and hygiene." While McDonald's chose to focus on "reviewing our procedures and training."
UPDATE: June 28, 2017 at 10:38 a.m.
Faecal bacteria has been found in ice from three of the biggest UK coffee chains, according to an investigation by the BBC.
BBC1's consumer series Watchdog has reportedly discovered varying levels of the bacteria in samples of iced drinks from Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Caffe Nero.
Cleanliness of trays, tables, and high chairs at the chains was also tested at 30 branches.
Expert Tony Lewis, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said: 'The level of contamination of faecal bacteria concerns me a great deal.
'The bacteria found are opportunistic pathogens -– the source of human disease. These should not be present at any level – never mind the significant numbers found.'
At Costa Coffee, seven out of ten samples of ice tested were found to be contaminated with bacteria found in faecal matter.
Meanwhile at both Starbucks and Caffe Nero, three out of 10 samples contained faecal bacteria.
All three chains are currently taking action, with Costa saying: 'We were disappointed with the findings, especially as these stores are all rated "very good" with a the top hygiene rating of five.
'Following these results we took immediate action to review our food safety procedures and have updated our ice-handling guidelines and are in the process of introducing new ice equipment storage across our estate.'
A spokesperson for Starbucks said they take hygiene 'extremely seriously' and 'nothing is more important' than customer safety.
A Caffe Nero spokesperson said that the findings were 'concerning', adding: 'A thorough investigation is now under way and the appropriate action will be taken.
'Ninety-nine per cent of our stores are rated as very good, good or satisfactory by their local EHO (environmental health officer) – making us one of the most highly rated businesses on the high street,' they added.
The Watchdog programme airs tonight at 8pm on BBC1.
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