Some iJooz machines now lock straw dispensers, straws individually wrapped

Some new iJooz machines have been spotted across Singapore, where the straws are individually wrapped.

Some are locked behind a small dispenser that opens only after purchase.

When Mothership visited two iJooz kiosks, one of the machines had easily accessible, individually wrapped straws.

The other kiosk had its straw dispenser locked.

After purchasing a drink from the machine, an audible click can be heard, and you can take a straw that is individually wrapped.

However, not all kiosks seem to have that feature.

Two other kiosks that Mothership visited did not have individually wrapped straws, and their dispensers were not locked.

Lick

The new machines come after an incident where a man filmed himself removing a straw from an iJooz kiosk, licking it and placing it back into the straw dispenser.

He then posted it on his Instagram story on Mar. 12, which eventually drew public attention.

The exact location of the kiosk is unknown, and the relevant Instagram account has since been made private.

In response to Mothership's queries, iJooz said it takes the alleged incident seriously and has initiated an internal investigation.

The incident "concerns the hygiene and safety standards that we are fully committed to upholding," the company said, adding that it has escalated the matter to the relevant authorities and filed a police report.

iJooz also stated that it is accelerating the rollout of upgraded machines across Singapore to enhance hygiene safeguards.

"Some of our newer machines are already equipped with enclosed systems, where straws are not exposed prior to dispensing under normal operation," it said.

The company added that it intends to expand these features islandwide to reduce the risk of similar incidents.

Mothership understands that the person in the video is alleged to be a student of ESSEC Business School.

The school has since addressed the incident.

"ESSEC is committed to maintaining professionalism and respectful conduct both within and outside the boundaries of our campuses," the school said, adding that it actively guides students on the standards of behaviour expected of them as members of the ESSEC community.

The school said it had launched an internal investigation into the matter in line with its institutional protocols.

Top photos via Instagram & Hannah Martens/Mothership