Police investigate after youth allegedly licked vending machine straw and returned it
A viral video showing a teenager allegedly licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and putting it back has triggered a police investigation, renewed hygiene concerns, and swift action from the juice vending operator.
Arrest Follows Viral Video
Singapore police said an 18-year-old male teenager was arrested for public nuisance after a report was lodged over the incident. Investigations are ongoing, according to police statements issued on April 3. The case gained attention after a video circulated online showing a boy taking a straw from an iJooz vending machine, licking it, and appearing to place it back into the dispenser.
Video Surfaced Weeks Earlier
The clip was reposted by the Singaporeincidents.sg Instagram page, whose caption said the teen had originally uploaded it to his own Instagram account on March 12. The location of the machine was not disclosed in the repost, but the footage quickly spread online and drew widespread criticism over hygiene and consumer safety.
iJooz Reported the Matter to Police
iJooz said it became aware of the circulating video on the evening of March 24 and lodged a police report the next day, March 25. The company said it takes the incident extremely seriously and described itself as “extremely apologetic and dismayed” that such an episode had occurred.
Company Tightens Sanitation Measures
In response, iJooz said it had started additional internal checks, inspections, straw replacements, and machine sanitation protocols. The company’s response shows how a single act filmed for social media can quickly escalate into a broader food hygiene and public confidence issue, especially for vending machines used by large numbers of consumers.
Wider Lesson on Public Conduct
The case has also become a reminder that behavior presented online as a prank can still carry legal consequences when it affects public health or causes alarm. For Singaporeans, the incident raises concerns about hygiene in shared consumer spaces and the risks of social media-fueled stunts. For Indonesians and other regional readers, it also reflects a broader trend in which online attention-seeking behavior increasingly collides with public safety and law enforcement.
What may have started as an attempt to attract attention online has turned into a police case with reputational and consumer safety implications. The incident underscores how quickly trust in everyday public services can be shaken when hygiene is compromised, even briefly. In a region where vending machines and self-service food systems are becoming more common, the case is a clear warning that irresponsible conduct in public spaces can carry consequences far beyond the original act.
Sources: CNA (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Ijooz Case, Public Nuisance Arrest, Ijooz Vending Machine, Straw Incident, Police Investigation, Viral Video, Consumer Hygiene
