MidwestLandlord
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- Dec 6, 2016
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Moldy nozzles are a common problem.
It's disgusting and makes you think twice about eating at places that look like dives.
I promise this is also a problem at chains as well. Especially if they still have the old-school style soda dispensers and not the new freestyle coke machines and the like. Or full service where the soda machine is not seen or used by the public.
Most state health inspections don't check for moldy nozzles either, since it's gross but not really harmful.
The worst is anything ice related. It's the perfect temp for growing harmful bacteria (the air is above 40 degrees typically), there is moisture the bacteria needs, and employees tend to take less precautions dealing with ice than they do food.
Example: touches something with bacteria on it, uses the ice scoop without washing his hands, lays the ice scoop in the ice and contaminates it. Illegal, yes. But so very common. Good luck with a quarterly health inspection catching it either. ("Don't put the scoop in the ice! The inspector is here!" lol)
Also, since most places only have 1 ice machine, and it must be down for a significant time for proper cleaning (to defrost), the chances of it getting cleaned are around zero.
If you ever get sick at a restaurant, the chances it was from something you drank is very, very high.