Since the arrival of touch screens in the fast food chain McDonald's, we are encouraged to use them to order our meals instead of at the counter. It is true that it is very practical! But it's also pretty disgusting, when you think about it ...
Indeed, an investigation undertaken by metro.co.uk and the London Metropolitan University School of Human Science revealed the presence of fecal traces on each touch screen in eight McDonald's of the United Kingdom. Coliforms were found on each of them.
Dr. Paul Matawele, a senior lecturer in microbiology at London Metropolitan University, said that although screens are being cleaned, it is clearly not rigorous enough.
These bacteria can stay on touch screen machines for days and days, "he explained.
The researchers were surprised at the amount of intestinal and fecal bacteria present on the touch screens. These bacteria cause the type of infections that people contract in hospitals, such as enterococcus faecalis, which is part of the flora of the gastrointestinal tract in humans and other healthy mammals.
The samples revealed traces of other bacteria that caused concern, such as staphylococcus, which can cause blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
It is disturbing to find staphylococcus on these machines because it is so contagious, according to the expert.
Everything starts around the nose. If people touch their nose with their fingers and then transfer it to the touch screen, another person will get it. And if that person has an open cut, it can be dangerous.
Staphylococcus becomes resistant to antibiotics. It is still very dangerous in places like Africa where it can cause a toxic shock.
Listeria bacteria have also been found in some branches. Listeriosis can cause miscarriages and death of newborns.
Dr. Matewele said, "Listeria is another rare bacterium that we were shocked to find on touchscreen machines, because it can again be very contagious and a problem for people with weakened immune systems." .
Three-quarters of the filters collected showed traces of the proteus bacteria present in human and animal feces.
Screenshot - YouTube - MLive
According to Dr. Matewele, "Proteus is found in human and animal excrement. It is also widely distributed in the soil. It can cause urinary tract infections and is also one of the infections acquired in the hospital where it can be responsible for sepsis."
Klebsiella is associated with urinary tract infections, sepsis and diarrhea. Some species can infect the respiratory tract, resulting in pneumonia.
Touch screens are now part of our daily lives, but it's important that people do not eat right after touching them. These screens are unhygienic and can spread diseases.
"Someone can be very careful about their own hygiene throughout the day, but this could be canceled using a single touch screen machine. These bacteria can be on touch screen machines for days and days" explained the scientist.
A spokesperson for McDonald's said, "Our self-check screens are cleaned frequently throughout the day. All our restaurants also offer guests the opportunity to wash their hands before eating."
McDonald's began deploying the touch screens in its US restaurants in 2015.
By 2020, this type of touch screen will be installed in most of the 14,000 restaurants in the United States.
In light of this unpleasant information, customers may need to bring an antibacterial gel with them or think about washing their hands thoroughly before eating ...
