Bacterial- beverages: Obesity not the only fast-food health risk

Add bacterial infection to the list of health risks associated with eating and drinking at your local fast food joint. A new study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that nearly half (48%) of the beverages dispensed from fast-food restaurants contained coliform bacteria, and 11% contained E coli. While a positive coliform bacteria test isn't necessarily dangerous, it is an indicator of poor sanitation. (Coliform can refer to a number of specific bacteria, some of whom may come from municipal water supplies). E. coli, when ingested in sufficient quantities, can cause diarrhea, stomach distress, and in serious cases lead to hospitalization and death. Young children, and others with weakened immunity due to advanced age or illness are especially susceptible.

Eating calorie-dense fast-food, and drinking soft-drinks has previously been associated with increasing the risk of obesity and associated conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. In fact, eating healthier meals at home is considered a leading strategy for reducing childhood obesity. And previous outbreaks of E. coli infection have been traced to improperly cooked, stored or handled meats from fast-food establishments. But this new study appears to be the first of its kind to look at the potential of getting infected from what you drink at such restaurants. Researchers from Hollins University in Roanoke Virginia tested not only regular soda-beverages, but also diet soft-drinks and water, for a total of 90 beverages all dispensed by machines in 30 establishments. They then double-checked their findings by analyzing an additional 27 beverages from 9 other machines. In the end the likelihood of contamination remained the same regardless of what type of beverage was tested, or whether it was dispensed by restaurant employees behind a counter or by patrons at a "self-serve" kiosk.

The problem? Poor cleaning practices. While this is only one small study, its clearly a wake up call that establishments using such beverage dispensers need to ensure that they are cleaning them appropriately, and local health officials need to take note. We all know fast-food is generally an unhealthy, unsustainable choice, so for the millions of people who still frequent such restaurants, perhaps this is another good reason to choose healthier fare. Like slow-food, for example.