Faecal matter found in soft drinks and ice in nationwide pub chains and restaurants

An investigation has found faecal bacteria in ice and soft drinks served in several major pub and restaurant chains in the UK.

Samples taken from Harvester, Hungry Horse, JD Wetherspoon, Slug and Lettuce and Marston’s Two For One found contaminated with the bacteria.

The research is outlined in an episode of BBC1’s Watchdog, which airs on Wednesday night.

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Responding to the findings, Tony Lewis, from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said the results were ‘a concern’ – particularly for people with a weakened immune system.

He said: ‘If ice loaded up with the wrong type of bacteria then it can make us ill.

‘So that’s why this is a concern.

‘On the basis of the chains that we’ve looked at, industry needs to do better, making sure that their cleanliness is being well managed.’

Wetherspoon said it had ‘taken on board the finding of the report, Slug & Lettuce said they ‘immediately investigated’, while Hungry Horse said its dispensers had been deep cleaned.

Staff at Two for One are being retrained but Harvester disputed the science used by Watchdog.