Faecal bacteria found in ice at three high street coffee chains

Concerning levels of faecal bacteria were present in ice at three major high street coffee chains, according to an investigation.

Samples from drinks at Costa, Starbucks, and Caffe Nero were reportedly found to be contaminated in lab tests carried out by BBC One’s consumer series Watchdog.

Faecal coliforms, which contain disease-causing pathogens, were present on 7 out of 10 ice samples in Costa, and on 3 out of 10 in both Caffe Nero and Starbucks, the BBC said.

Tony Lewis, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, told the programme: “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.”

Cleanliness of tables, trays, and high chairs at the chains was also tested at the branches in Salford, Greater Manchester.

A Starbucks spokesman said it takes hygiene “extremely seriously” and “nothing is more important” than customer safety.

“We have moved quickly to conduct our own investigation into the claims about the stores,” he added.

Costa said: “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 spokesman for Caffe Nero described the findings as concerning and added: “A thorough investigation is now under way and the appropriate action will be taken.”