Full Breakdown
French Teen Charged in Singapore After Licking Vending-Machine Straw
4/28/2026, 2:15:55 AM
Incident Overview
On 12 March 2024, 18-year-old French national Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien filmed himself removing a straw from an iJooz vending machine at a Thomson Road shopping centre, licking it, and returning it to the dispenser. He posted the clip on Instagram Stories, captioned “city is not safe.” Police charged him with mischief and public nuisance; a hearing is set for 22 May.
Background & Context
iJooz runs smart vending machines dispensing freshly squeezed orange juice in Singapore malls. Under the Public Health (Cleanliness) Act, any act jeopardising public hygiene can be prosecuted as mischief or a public nuisance, reflecting the city-state’s strict food-safety standards. The machines are widespread, so contamination risks are taken seriously.
Key Actors & Timeline
The main parties are Maximilien, an ESSEC Business School student; iJooz, the machine operator; and Kalidass Law Corporation, his lawyers. The incident occurred on 12 March, charges were filed on 24 April, and the case returns to court on 22 May. His parents flew from France and a school representative will act as bailor.
Data & Legal Penalties
iJooz replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser. Singapore law allows up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of thousands of dollars for mischief, and up to three months’ jail plus a S$2,000 fine for a public nuisance.
Official Statements & Responses
iJooz said it lodged a police report and began sanitation checks of the machine. An ESSEC spokesperson said the school “takes matters of conduct and community responsibility seriously, and internal investigations are under way,” and confirmed a school representative will serve as Maximilien’s bailor.
Public Reaction
The video was reposted on a community page and amplified by local news. It spread rapidly online, drawing widespread disgust and criticism for violating hygiene standards and misusing a public amenity. Commentators linked the incident to broader concerns about viral social-media challenges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “city is not safe.” — Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, Instagram caption
- “ESSEC takes matters of conduct and community responsibility seriously, and internal investigations are under way,” — ESSEC spokesperson
- “Court documents stated that iJooz had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser after the alleged incident.” — iJooz spokesperson
- “For committing mischief, an offender can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.” — Singapore law (court documents)
What’s Next
The case will be heard again on 22 May, where a judge will decide Maximilien’s liability and any sentence. The outcome may influence how Singapore handles future hygiene-related offenses that gain viral attention.
