Bacteriological, hygienic, and public health aspects of food and drink from vending machines

Hunter, Paul R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5608-6144 (1992) Bacteriological, hygienic, and public health aspects of food and drink from vending machines. Critical Reviews in Environmental Control, 22 (3-4). pp. 151-167. ISSN 1547-6537

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Abstract

Since the 1950s, the vending machine has contributed to a revolution in how we buy food and drink. Despite the very obvious benefits associated with this technology, vending machines have not always been welcome by the customers they are intended to serve. Although occasionally blamed for various nonspecific illnesses, there have been very few studies about the microbiology of food and drink served from such machines. The few studies that have been reported have found high total viable counts (TVC) and coliform organisms in dispensed drinks. In part, these poor results appear to be due to inadequate cleaning procedures or machine design. Vended hot drinks should be sufficiently hot to pasteurize any contaminated water supply. However, it appears that some machines may not be able to maintain an adequate temperature when used too frequently. Merchandizer vending machines dispense food and drink in cans or other packaging. The microbiology of merchandizer dispensed food and drink should mirror that of the underlying product. However, vending machines are being used increasingly for perishable food, in particular sandwiches and cook-chill foods for subsequent reheating in a nearby microwave oven. The need to distribute such food to widely spread units may increase the risk of some vended foods. There have been three papers reporting serious injury and even death from vending machines falling onto customers. All vending machine companies need to continually monitor the quality and safety of their operations, perferably by using the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) process.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: sdg 3 - good health and well-being,sdg 6 - clean water and sanitation ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2022 14:30
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 03:16
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/83767
DOI: 10.1080/10643389209388434

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