SINGAPORE: An 18-year-old student has been arrested after he filmed himself allegedly licking a straw from an iJooz machine and putting the contaminated straw back.
In a video that first surfaced online on March 12, a boy is seen taking a straw from an iJooz machine, licking it and then slotting the straw into the machine again.
iJooz is known for its smart vending machines that serve freshly squeezed orange juice.
The Instagram video quickly became viral, sparking shock and concern among netizens.
The user who posted the video has since made the account private.
In response to queries, the police told The Straits Times on April 2 that a report was lodged and that the male teenager has been arrested for public nuisance.
They added that investigations are ongoing.
The teen is understood to be a student of Essec Business School, which is located at one-north, according to media reports.
iJooz previously told Chinese-language media outlet Lianhe Zaobao that it had launched an investigation into the incident and filed a police report.
The company had said that it was accelerating the roll-out of upgraded vending machines across the island to enhance hygiene measures.
“Some of our new vending machines are equipped with a sealed system, so that straws are not left exposed. This will help reduce the likelihood of similar incidents,” iJooz told Lianhe Zaobao.
The media outlet also reported that iJooz has already installed several upgraded vending machines with protective features, such as individually packaged straws and straw compartments that unlock only after a customer has completed the transaction.
The straw compartments on iJooz’s older vending machines are not locked.
In previous media reports, Essec Business School confirmed that the teenager is a student at the school, but that the incident did not occur on campus.
A school spokesperson added that an internal investigation was launched.
ST has contacted iJooz and the school for more information. - The Straits Times/ANN
