‘High levels of bacteria’ in cinema fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks being sold at some of the UK’S largest cinema chains were found to contain unacceptably high levels of bacteria, an investigation has claimed.

Cineworld, Odeon and Vue each had drinks tested at a total of 30 cinemas, and salmonella traces were allegedly found at two branches of Odeon.

Listeria was also found in a drinks holder, BBC One’s Watchdog said.

Each of the cinemas said they took hygiene “incredibly seriously”, adding that drinks holders and dispensers were cleaned daily and ice machines weekly. Odeon has launched an investigation to “further strengthen procedures” across the UK.