Be cautious when filling up your cup with a refreshing soft drink because researchers found several soda fountain machines in Virginia containing coliform bacteria. Almost half of the 90 drinks from the machines contained the bacteria that could possibly indicate fecal contamination. Several of the soda drinks from the machines fell short in passing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking-water regulations, which states that all beverage samples test negative for E. coli.
Renee Godard, lead author of the study and professor of biology and environmental studies at HollinsUniversity, states that, “Certainly we come in contact with bacteria all the time…It’s simply that some bacteria may potentially cause some disease or gastrointestinal distress. One thing we hesitate with is that people get afraid of bacteria. Many of them are benign or helpful, but certainly, I don’t want E.coli in my beverage.”
If you think you may be sick from e. coli contamination, find a doctor near you who can help.
