Health inspectors made a shocking discovery this week after testing an ice cream machine at a popular fast-food restaurant. According to the official inspection report, the machine’s samples exceeded the legal limit for coliform bacteria, a strong indicator of unsanitary conditions and possible contamination.
Coliform bacteria, while not always harmful themselves, are often a sign that pathogenic organisms such as E. coli or Salmonella could be present. Inspectors noted that the machine had visible residue buildup and appeared to have not been cleaned properly between uses — a direct violation of health and safety regulations.
The restaurant was issued a citation and required to cease using the machine immediately until it could be thoroughly sanitized and re-tested. Customers who recently purchased ice cream from the location were advised to monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness, although no confirmed cases have been reported so far.
Health officials emphasized the importance of regular equipment cleaning and proper temperature control to prevent bacterial growth. One inspector stated,
“It only takes a few hours for bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels if machines aren’t cleaned the right way.”
The restaurant chain has since released a statement, saying it is “fully cooperating with health authorities” and taking steps to retrain staff and improve sanitation protocols to ensure this does not happen again.