Study shows that quality of fast-food milkshakes has deteriorated

Environment Centre offering restaurant personnel guidance on fighting bacteria

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According to a recent study conducted by the City of Helsinki Environment Centre, the quality of milkshakes at hamburger restaurants has deteriorated. The study indicated that more than a fourth of the samples collected proved to be of poor quality.
      Some 14 per cent of the samples were passable, while only some 58 per cent were of good quality. Chocolate milkshakes were of lower quality than other mixtures. The reason might be attributed to the flavouring used to enhance the taste of drinks, or to the dispensing method used.
     
Milkshakes are cold drinks made of milk, icecream, and a flavouring. They are perishable goods, and an increase in their bacteria content may cause illnesses, even though the poor quality of these drinks has not been found to have led to any gastric epidemics in Helsinki. On the other hand, it is difficult to connect individual stomach illnesses with milkshakes.
      The examined milkshakes were found to be of poor quality on the basis of their overall bacteria content, including coliform bacteria.
     
The study was conducted in the period from 2005 to 2006. Prior to this, the microbiologic quality of milkshakes was studied from 2001 to 2002. The samples collected for the previous study were of better quality.
      An increase in the bacteria content is attributed to the fact that some parts of milkshake machines are not easy to clean.
      The Environment Centre has contacted the hamburger chains, having stepped up the guidance of restaurant personnel.
     
According to the quality control of the Hesburger chain, the quality of milkshakes has improved, says Manager Vesa Viitanen.
      Hesburger’s quality control is based on monthly samples that are taken from all foods, including salads, milkshakes, and soft ice cream.
      The amount of milkshakes sold in Finland has been increasing, concomitant with the growing number of hamburger restaurants in the country.


Links:
  City of Helsinki Environment Centre

Helsingin Sanomat