Zurich Lab Finds Intestinal Bacteria in 25% of Coffee Machine Milk Drinks: Poor Maintenance to Blame

July 10, 2025
2 mins read
Representative Image. Photo Source: Pixabay CC BY 1.0
Representative Image. Photo Source: Pixabay CC BY 1.0

A recent investigation by the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory has found serious hygiene problems in coffee machines that make milk-based drinks. Tests showed that one in four samples contained too many intestinal bacteria. This raises concerns about the cleanliness of machines many people use every day.

The laboratory tested 15 samples of milk drinks from various coffee machines last year. Results released by the canton of Zurich in July 2025 showed four samples had too much Enterobacteria. These bacteria live in human and animal intestines. Some types can cause diarrhea and stomach problems. One more sample had high levels of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, which points to poor cleaning practices.

The milk itself wasn’t the problem. Most coffee machines use pasteurized or UHT milk, which is almost germ-free when it enters the machine. The contamination happened inside the machines when bacteria grew on milk residues that weren’t cleaned away properly.

Coffee machines with milk systems have many small parts where milk can build up. This includes tubes, frothers, mixing chambers, and nozzles. Without daily cleaning, these areas become perfect places for bacteria to grow. The warm, moist environment inside coffee machines makes this problem worse.

After finding these hygiene issues, laboratory officials told machine operators about the problems. They instructed them to find the causes and fix them. Later checks confirmed that the problems had been solved. No more samples exceeded the safety limits.


Similar Posts:


The Zurich findings highlight a common but often overlooked food safety issue. A different German study from early 2024 looked at 25 coffee machines in hospitals and staff homes. It found some bacterial growth on all machines tested. However, most bacteria found were harmless types that normally live on skin or in the gut without causing problems. Few dangerous germs were found.

For coffee drinkers worried about contamination, there are several steps to take. Businesses should clean their machines daily. This includes running cleaning cycles, taking apart and sanitizing milk systems, and replacing worn parts regularly.

Home users should follow similar steps. Daily rinsing isn’t enough. Parts that touch milk should be cleaned thoroughly after each use. Deep cleaning cycles should be run weekly.

Besides health concerns, proper cleaning also affects how coffee tastes. Bacteria and old milk residue can make coffee taste sour or bitter. Regular cleaning also helps machines last longer by preventing damage to parts.

The coffee industry has responded by creating machines with automatic cleaning cycles and removable parts that can go in dishwashers. Newer models have temperature controls and cleaning functions designed to reduce bacterial growth.

Karmactive Whatsapp group - https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb2BWGn77qVMKpqBxg3D

More people are looking for information about how to clean coffee machines properly. This is part of a bigger trend where people care more about food safety in restaurants and cafes.

The Zurich laboratory findings remind us that even common appliances need regular cleaning to prevent health risks. The bacteria problems found were fixed through proper cleaning. This shows how important regular hygiene practices are.

For people who drink coffee regularly, especially milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, the message is clear: a clean coffee machine gives you not just better-tasting coffee, but also helps protect your health.

Tejal Somvanshi

Meet Tejal Somvanshi, a soulful wanderer and a staunch wellness advocate, who elegantly navigates through the enchanting domains of Fashion and Beauty with a natural panache. Her journey, vividly painted with hues from a vibrant past in the media production world, empowers her to carve out stories that slice through the cacophony, where brands morph into characters and marketing gimmicks evolve into intriguing plot twists. To Tejal, travel is not merely an activity; it unfolds as a chapter brimming with adventures and serendipitous tales, while health is not just a regimen but a steadfast companion in her everyday epic. In the realms of fashion and beauty, she discovers her muse, weaving a narrative where each style narrates a story, and every beauty trend sparks a dialogue. Tejal seamlessly melds the spontaneous spirit of the media industry with the eloquent prose of a storyteller, crafting tales as vibrant and dynamic as the industry she thrives in.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Representative Image. Doctorate In Public Health Photo Source: Rawpixel / The White House Baiden-Harris
Previous Story

NHS Brings 10-Minute Sponge Test to Pharmacies as 80% of Oesophageal Cancers Currently Found Too Late

Next Story

“Typhoon Danas: First West Taiwan Hit in 39 Years Costs NT$3B”

Latest from Health

Don't Miss

490,000 Romoss Power Banks Recalled After Mid-Flight Fire Forces Emergency Landing

Romoss Technology, one of China’s biggest power bank