Scientists found ‘faecal matter’ on tables in Costa Coffee - these were the dirtiest branches

Trace amounts of “faecal matter” have been found on tables at branches of Costa Coffee in the UK, according to a Channel 4 investigation.

What happened?

A team of scientists was sent around the UK for the programme, to test more than 170 surfaces throughout six towns and cities. The aim was to find out how clean big brands are keeping their stores in light of the pandemic.

After wiping a number of surfaces down in several Costa branches, scientists sent the samples off to be analysed, and found that samples from the Cardiff and Birmingham branches contained faecal coliforms.

Swabs were taken from tables, chairs, side plates, trays and toilet door handles inside Costa branches.

An Edinburgh branch of the coffee chain showed high levels of bacteria on surfaces which were supposed to be clean, though these were not thought to be faecal matter.

The investigation was part of Channel 4’s Dispatches: How Safe Is It Going Out?, which aired on Monday (26 Oct) night.