Teen arrested after allegedly licking iJooz straw and placing it back in machine
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The police said the male teenager was arrested for public nuisance after a report was made.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SINGAPOREINCIDENTS.SG/INSTAGRAM
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 it back into the machine.
iJooz is known for its smart vending machines that serve freshly squeezed orange juice.
The Instagram video quickly went 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 said 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 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 one of its students, but that the incident did not occur on campus.
Confirming that the school was aware of the incident, a spokesperson for Essec Business School said: “Essec takes matters of conduct and community responsibility seriously, and internal investigations are under way.”
The spokesperson, in response to queries from The Straits Times on April 6, added that the school respects the legal process and is unable to share further updates at this time.
ST has contacted iJooz for more information.
