Background Hot-drinks vending machines are disseminated worldwide and millions of drinks are served every day. Because of a lack of studies on hot-drinks related illnesses, the aim of the study is to identify the presence and load of bacterial species, potentially harmful for consumers, within hot-drinks vending machines. Methods This preliminary cross sectional study was carried out in April 2015 at the University of Siena, Italy. 12 samples from 4 hotdrinks vending machines(VM) were taken using a sterile swab; samples were taken from: i) Dispense Area, ii) Nozzle, iii) Glass- Holder. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory and sown on selective terrains. Results were expressed both in terms of average CFU/swab between the samples of the 4 VM, and in terms of CFU/cm2, relying on guidelines of surfaces sanitation, which fix the limit in 50 CFU/cm2. Total Microbial Load(TML) at 36C and 22C was assessed for mesophilic and psychrophilic contamination. Descriptive analysis were performed. Results All the analyzed surfaces exceeded the fixed limit. Nozzles were the mostly contaminated, showing a bacterial load of 82500 CFU/swab (SD:41662), correspondent to 2063 CFU/cm2. Dispense Area showed an high presence of bacteria (TML from 28125 CFU/swab to Uncountable Microbial Colonies (UMC) both at 36C, and at 22C). The TML of the Glass- Holder went from 1380 CFU/swab to UMC at 36C, and from 1050 CFU/swab to UMC at 22C. In particular the nozzle showed a mean of 22770 CFU/swab(SD:27444), correspondent to 569 CFU/cm2 of Staphylococcus spp, and 25399 CFU/swab (SD:35252), correspondent to 635 CFU/cm2 of Enterococcus spp. Conclusions Given the high number of CFU/swab and the presence of harmful species that we identified so far, VM may constitute a potential threat for consumer, reason for which further studies are recommendable. Key messages The use of hot beverage vending machines is increasing in the world because of changes in food habits Hot beverage vending machines may constitute a potential threat because of high microbial contaminants, including pathogen ones, which we have identified
Messina, G., DI MAIO, S., Burgassi, S., Cardaci, R., Golinelli, D., Battaglia, M.A., et al. (2015). A study on hot-beverages vending machines: what do we daily drink?. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 25(3), 94-94.
A study on hot-beverages vending machines: what do we daily drink?
MESSINA, GABRIELE;DI MAIO, SABINA;BURGASSI, SANDRA;GOLINELLI, DAVIDE;BATTAGLIA, MARIO ALBERTO;BEZZINI, DAIANA;NANTE, NICOLA
2015-01-01
Abstract
Background Hot-drinks vending machines are disseminated worldwide and millions of drinks are served every day. Because of a lack of studies on hot-drinks related illnesses, the aim of the study is to identify the presence and load of bacterial species, potentially harmful for consumers, within hot-drinks vending machines. Methods This preliminary cross sectional study was carried out in April 2015 at the University of Siena, Italy. 12 samples from 4 hotdrinks vending machines(VM) were taken using a sterile swab; samples were taken from: i) Dispense Area, ii) Nozzle, iii) Glass- Holder. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory and sown on selective terrains. Results were expressed both in terms of average CFU/swab between the samples of the 4 VM, and in terms of CFU/cm2, relying on guidelines of surfaces sanitation, which fix the limit in 50 CFU/cm2. Total Microbial Load(TML) at 36C and 22C was assessed for mesophilic and psychrophilic contamination. Descriptive analysis were performed. Results All the analyzed surfaces exceeded the fixed limit. Nozzles were the mostly contaminated, showing a bacterial load of 82500 CFU/swab (SD:41662), correspondent to 2063 CFU/cm2. Dispense Area showed an high presence of bacteria (TML from 28125 CFU/swab to Uncountable Microbial Colonies (UMC) both at 36C, and at 22C). The TML of the Glass- Holder went from 1380 CFU/swab to UMC at 36C, and from 1050 CFU/swab to UMC at 22C. In particular the nozzle showed a mean of 22770 CFU/swab(SD:27444), correspondent to 569 CFU/cm2 of Staphylococcus spp, and 25399 CFU/swab (SD:35252), correspondent to 635 CFU/cm2 of Enterococcus spp. Conclusions Given the high number of CFU/swab and the presence of harmful species that we identified so far, VM may constitute a potential threat for consumer, reason for which further studies are recommendable. Key messages The use of hot beverage vending machines is increasing in the world because of changes in food habits Hot beverage vending machines may constitute a potential threat because of high microbial contaminants, including pathogen ones, which we have identified
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
https://hdl.handle.net/11365/995234
Attenzione
Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo