Sample faecal germs on restaurant drinking glasses

More than half of the glasses in restaurants contaminated with pathogens

09/09/2013

Often with the drink in a restaurant also fecal germs or gut germs and other pathogens are added. For a corresponding test has the consumer magazine „market“ of the North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) numerous different germs and bacteria on the „Water, wine and beer glasses in small restaurants and large national catering chains“ demonstrated.

The fecal germs and pus-pathogens sticking to the drinking glasses in restaurants is not only a disgusting idea for consumers, but also of health concerns. In more than half of the restaurants tested were reported by the NDR „Pathogens found who have no business with the glass.“ Cause are probably negligence in personal hygiene and lack of care when cleaning the glasses. According to the surveyed consumer advocates, the results of the sample show that much stricter food control controls are needed.

Intestinal germs and pus on the drinking glass
In the investigation of the consumer magazine „market“ Only two out of six restaurants in Hamburg delivered clean drinking glasses to the table. The remaining glasses were contaminated with potential pathogens. For example, consider the big chains „Sausalito“, „Alex“ and „Schweinske“ Germs and bacteria have been detected. „In Sausalitos they were intestinal germs. In the catering chains Alex and Schweinske, the laboratory found intestinal germs and pus-pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus)“, reports the NDR. Professor Matthias Maaß, a specialist in microbiology, virology and infection epidemiology at the independent regional laboratory that examined the samples, explained: „I was surprised how many of these glasses were contaminated with fecal germs, bacteria and pus-pathogens.“ In view of the associated health risk, these pathogens do not belong to a glass, according to Prof. Maaß. If such pathogens are detected on the supposedly clean drinking glasses, this is „usually due to the fact that glasses are not rinsed properly, are taken to low temperatures, no disinfectant is used and no proper personal hygiene takes place“, the expert continues.

Consumer advocates demand hygiene traffic lights
Also the consumer center Hamburg responded according to message of the NDR on the results of the sample concerned. Armin Valet of the consumer center Hamburg again spoke in favor of a hygiene traffic light in view of the obvious hygiene deficiencies, „which should be clearly recognizable in front of every restaurant company“ and „shows how the restaurant was checked, whether the hygiene is OK or if there are shortcomings.“ Every consumer would be able to see what the hygiene is like in each farm before he takes a step into the restaurant, Valet explained.

Not all negatively tested companies understand
The fact that an objective reference to the hygiene in the restaurants would be quite appropriate, also illustrates the unclear response of individual companies, after they were confronted by the NDR with the results of the sample. For example „Schweinske“ according to NDR all allegations as „as unqualified as dubious“ rejected. Indicated, however „Sausalito“, that's your own hygiene rules „very high“ However, one is extremely grateful for the advice of the NDR and „already initiated operational steps“ were. There was a similar answer „Alex“ on the demand of the sender: „Our guests can not be satisfied with the result. We are not. We have already taken action to investigate the incident.“ It can only be hoped that the investigation of the NDR in the industry as a whole will find the highest possible response, so that in the future with the drink in the restaurant no fecal germs or other pathogens are more recorded. (Fp)