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July 7, 2003
HONOLULU - The Hawaii State Department of Health is asking food
establishments that use self-serve drink dispensers to post signs and
educate employees to avoid possible cross contamination of beverages.
Bacteria could be spread if a used cup came in contact with the
dispensing nozzle of a self-serve beverage machine and the machine was
later used by another individual.
There have been reports of self-serve drink dispensers patrons
re-filling water bottles or used cups and actually inserting the
dispensing nozzle into the liquid or licking or drinking from cup and
then continuing the filling process.
"People should avoid touching the rim of any used beverage container
to the dispensing nozzle of a self-serve beverage machine," said Brian
Choy, Department of Health Sanitation Branch. "Dispensing systems that
allow you to set the cup down and use a push button to dispense the
beverage are preferable."
If the push button system is not available use the side of the cup,
not the rim, as a pressure point to fill the container. If you see
others contaminating self-serve drink dispensers notify the
establishment’s management immediately.
ACCESS has developed several community partnerships in Oahu
including Aloha United Way (211), Warm Lines, etc.
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For more information, contact:
Brian Choy
Department of Health Sanitation Branch
Phone: (808) 586-8020
E-mail: bchoy@ehsdmail.health.state.hi.us
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