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Fast-food chains blush over poor hygiene report

Iced tea, orange juice and other cold drinks at fast-food outlets in Taipei, including the Japanese chain MOS Burger and the US chain KFC, contain high levels of bacteria that could cause cramps and diarrhea, officials said yesterday.

The contamination was a sign that the drinks were not properly refrigerated or were tainted by workers with poor hygiene, Taipei City Government said in a report on its Web site.

The results were based on random inspections of 27 restaurants last month, the statement said. The contaminated drinks contained coliform, a family of bacteria present in air, water and soil.

Inspectors found the most contaminated drinks at MOS Burger, where six of a total 48 samples, or 13 percent, of iced tea and iced coffee tested positive for the bacteria.

Thirty samples were taken at KFC and two of them, both in orange juice, tested positive, the statement said.

US burger chain McDonald's was the most hygienic, with all 143 samples passing the tests, the statement said.

MOS Burger's Taiwan office said in a statement that it was surprised by the results and would bring inspectors from Japan to help tighten quality control.

KFC's Taiwan office said it would strengthen worker training to resolve the problem.

The fast-food chains were asked to take those drinks off the menu. They were also fined up to NT$150,000, the government said.

Coliform bacteria is commonly found in the intestinal tract but does not necessarily make people ill. It can cause severe cramps and diarrhea.
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