Oh Sh*t — Literally: Poo Discovered In Starbucks' Ice

Think the only thing troublesome about your addiction to flavored iced coffee is its high levels of sugar? Think again. 

BBC reported today that they found varying levels of fecal matter in the ice of three major coffee chains — Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Caffe Nero. 

That's right my friends. There's poo in your coffee. 

An expert (they have experts for this kind of thing??) told BBC that the levels were "concerning." Three out of 10 tested samples at Starbucks contained faecal coliforms, a bacteria found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. Seven out of 10 samples of Costa ice were also found to be contaminated. 

A spokesperson from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health said the kind of bacteria found were "opportunistic pathogens - the source of human disease."

In an effort to avoid poo — which should be at the forefront of everyone's minds when handling anything we put into our mouths — Costa told BBC that it had updated its ice-handling guidelines and was in the process of introducing new ice equipment storage. Starbucks said it's conducting its own investigation into the claims, so is Caffe Nero, who said that the chain would take "appropriate action."

But for real like, how did this happen? What ice-gathering method led anyone anywhere near poo? Let's hope BBC or one of the coffee chains' personal investigations figures out just where shit hit the fan. Until then, keep all your coffee hot. 

Emily Blackwood is a freelance writer, editor and journalist who covers relationships, entertainment & news, pop culture, and wellness.