According to a recently published study, about 50% of the 90 beverages from soda fountain machines in one area in Virgin managed to test positive for coliform bacteria, which could be suggestive of a possible fecal contamination. Researchers also found signs of antibiotic-resistant microbes and E. coli in the soda samples obtained.

"Certainly we come in contact with bacteria all the time. It's simply that some bacteria may potentially cause some disease or gastrointestinal distress. One thing we hesitate with is that people get afraid of bacteria. Many of them are benign or helpful, but certainly, I don't want E. coli in my beverage", said lead author Renee Godard.

As per the drinking-water regulations put down by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, all samples obtained must test negative for any traces of E. coli, and according to the study's findings, many of the beverages from the dispensers fell below the required standards.

For the sake of study, researchers obtained 90 beverage types from across 30 fast food restaurants, and found that 48% of them contained coliform bacteria, 11% had E. coli and 17% had traces of Chryseobacterium meningosepticum.

Details of the study have been published in the January issue of International Journal of Food Microbiology.