Buzz
Would you care for a side of fecal matter with your McGriddle? If you're using the touchscreen kiosks at McDonald's, you might not have a choice. A recent investigation by the UK-based Metro, in collaboration with London Metropolitan University, revealed the presence of fecal matter on every touchscreen tested at eight McDonald's outlets.
Researchers swabbed the touchscreens recently installed at eight McDonald’s locations across the UK (six in London and two in Birmingham). All the surfaces were found to contain coliforms, bacteria commonly found in the digestive system and feces. One sample even tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria responsible for skin infections, food poisoning, and in some cases, more severe conditions like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. The study also found traces of Listeria and Proteus bacteria on the screens of a few restaurants, both of which can present health risks.
Paul Matewele, a microbiology lecturer at London Metropolitan University, expressed his astonishment at the widespread presence of gut and fecal bacteria on these touchscreens. Although touchscreen kiosks are becoming more common in fast food chains, this study highlights the health dangers they can pose.
“Touchscreen technology is becoming increasingly common in our daily routines, but these findings indicate that people should avoid eating immediately after interacting with them. They are unhygienic and could facilitate the spread of diseases,” Matewele explained to Metro. “Someone can maintain excellent hygiene all day, but a single touch of a touchscreen could undo that.”
A representative from McDonald's stated that the self-order screens in their restaurants are cleaned regularly throughout the day, but Matewele pointed out that the disinfectants used might not be potent enough to eliminate all the bacteria. However, as Newsweek highlights, the study’s sample size was relatively small, only testing eight out of the approximately 1300 McDonald's locations in the UK.
The more frequently an object is touched by numerous people, the greater the chance it will harbor harmful bacteria. In addition to fast food restaurants, bacterial hotspots include elevator buttons, office doors, and airport security bins. If you must touch these surfaces, make sure to wash your hands before eating, Big Macs included.
