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SINGAPORE \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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 the straw into the machine again. <\/p>\n
iJooz is known for its smart vending machines that serve freshly squeezed orange juice. <\/p>\n
The Instagram video quickly became viral, sparking shock and concern among netizens. <\/p>\n
The user who posted the video has since made the account private. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The teen is understood to be a student of Essec Business School, which is located at one-north, according to media reports.<\/p>\n
iJooz previously told Chinese-language media outlet Lianhe Zaobao that it had launched an investigation into the incident and filed a police report. <\/p>\n
The company had said that it was accelerating the roll-out of upgraded vending machines across the island to enhance hygiene measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome 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,\u201d iJooz told Lianhe Zaobao. <\/p>\n
The media outlet also 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. <\/p>\n
The straw compartments on iJooz\u2019s older vending machines are not locked. <\/p>\n
In previous media reports, Essec Business School confirmed that the teenager is a student at the school, but that the incident did not occur on campus.<\/p>\n
A school spokesperson added that an internal investigation was launched. <\/p>\n
ST has contacted iJooz and the school for more information. <\/p>\n