Many publications suggest that adding ice to drinks, which makes them very cold, can irritate the throat and vocal cords, especially in hot weather. And this is undoubtedly true. Warm drinks are better in this aspect as they do not contribute to such complaints and have a much better effect on the digestive system. We all know this but still use ice cubes and will use them in future.
But you can make a choice and use the ice that is safe and will not cause any problems, such as digestive complaints.
Consumers obtain ice cubes from several sources:
- ice cube makers in bars and restaurants,
- ice cube makers in hotels and ice from various sources consumed on holiday,
- home-made ice from ice maker refrigerators or ice trays,
- shops (many different ice manufacturers).
Let us take a look at each of these.
Ice cubes served in bars and restaurants have been identified as the biggest threat. Bacteria, mould, fungus in ice cube makers, dirty hands of the staff, lack of regular cleaning of equipment, water used to make ice... As a result, the tests show that the level of contamination in the drinks is many times higher than the standard.
Think of holidays and hotels, for example We are more and more often choosing to go on holiday in exotic countries with a completely different bacterial flora and water that is often undrinkable because it comes from natural bodies of water. The consumption of ice is quite risky in such places.
Ice prepared in your own home, in an ice tray or an ice cube maker refrigerator, also carries a potential danger. It is all about the cleanliness of your hands, the moulds you use, the cleanliness of the installation of your ice cube maker, the quality of water, and the contents of the freezer.
We all know very well that ice cubes are available for sale in supermarkets, retail shops, and petrol stations. You can choose ice cubes from among many different manufacturers having different approaches to production. In Poland, there is no regulation concerning ice cubes, even though it is a food like meat or fish, and thus there is no requirement to invest in equipment, workforce, and certificates. As a result, in most cases, the ice does not meet sanitary requirements, let alone its quality or appearance. However, there are manufacturers in our home market who put the quality and sanitary safety of the product first, are certified, and have a trustworthy and fully traceable ice.
Remember that ice is food!
So, if you use ice, you should look for one that is safe, preferably with the Certified Food Grade Ice mark.
