Do you love coffee from a vending machine? It is usually cheaper than in a café and can save you when you need to warm up or perk up quickly. However, these machines have a dark side.
If the vending machine is not properly maintained and cleaned, your cup of coffee could contain a whole bouquet of bacteria.
Firstly, the water needs to be changed frequently, not left until it becomes cloudy. Secondly, the machines are filled with milk, syrups, and sugar – all of which create an ideal environment for bacterial growth, as well as excellent nutrition for insect larvae. Add to this a warm room, humidity from spilled drinks, and darkness, and imagine what could be happening on the other side of the buttons.
Speaking of buttons, how often are they disinfected? And is the very "curtain" that people lift to retrieve their drink treated? Unfortunately, these questions remain unanswered.
Coffee vending machines need to be regularly flushed to remove all waste and accumulated dust. Otherwise, bacteria, mold, dirt, and even insect larvae can end up in the coffee.
However, there are no inherent flaws in the machines or the technology itself; the cause of all unpleasant consequences lies in the human factor. But since there is no way to look inside the machine before buying coffee, one has to rely on external signs. You should be cautious if the drink or even the machine itself has an unpleasant odor, and if the coffee tastes bitter or sour.
What You Can Get Infected With by Drinking Coffee from a Vending Machine
Coffee from a vending machine can lead to a whole range of negative consequences – from regular food poisoning to pneumonia. Fungi and mold that can grow inside the machine's tubes provoke various allergic reactions, while E. coli, which may settle there, can lead to poisoning and diarrhea.
Pseudomonas and Legionella, found in poorly cleaned machines, can cause pneumonia, putting people with weakened immune systems and those suffering from chronic bronchopulmonary diseases at risk.
Experts warn that you should only drink coffee from a vending machine if you are sure it is regularly maintained. Even better, purchase drinks from official retail outlets where sanitary requirements are observed.
