Vending

French teen faces jail in Singapore over vending machine straw stunt

Adobe Stock

April 28, 2026

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A French teenager has been charged in Singapore after allegedly contaminating a straw dispenser at an orange juice vending machine and posting a video of the act on social media, according to a BBC report.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, is accused of licking a straw and returning it to the dispenser at a shopping center on March 12. The video, originally shared on Instagram, was later widely circulated and drew strong public backlash.

The vending machine operator, iJooz, filed a police report and replaced all 500 straws in the affected machine as part of sanitation measures. The company also conducted inspections following the incident.

Authorities charged Maximilien with mischief and being a public nuisance, offenses that carry potential penalties of more than two years in jail and fines if he is convicted.

Maximilien, a student at the Singapore campus of Essec Business School, is currently out on bail. His lawyers said his parents traveled to Singapore, and a school representative is serving as his bailor. The school said it is aware of the case and is conducting an internal review. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 22.

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