A Simple Guide to Ice Machine Safety
According to the FDA, ice is classified as a food – and for good reason. Foodborne illness can harm your customers and your reputation. While ice cubes may seem safe, they can transfer germs from an employee to a drink. It’s important that your employees understand that safe ice handling is just as important as safe food handling. Our handy guide to ice machine safety shows you how to keep your ice machine clean and safe.
What Types of Germs Can Contaminate My Ice Supply?
Bacteria, viruses, and mold are all capable of contaminating your ice machine. Bacteria and viruses can contaminate the surface of your ice machine and can make their way into your ice supply as employees serve customers. Mold and slime occur more naturally. High-particulate workplaces produce more organic material that can accelerate mold growth.
Ice Contamination
While germs rarely grow on the surface of an ice cube, they can hitch a ride for short periods of time and end up in a drink. A dirty ice machine can lead to pathogens that contaminate your ice supply. Bacterial and viral are commonly passed to the ice machine from an employee.
Mold and Slime
Ice machines provide a dark and damp environment that can attract mold and slime without routine cleaning. Mold and slime feed off of organic material in the air like paper shavings, dust, and yeast. Businesses like bakeries and breweries are particularly susceptible to rapid mold and slime growth do to working with yeast. Routine cleaning is the best way to deal with mold and slime growth.
Ice Machine Safety
The main cause of a contaminated ice supply is from employees handling ice in an unsafe way. That’s why proper ice handling techniques are a must for any business if you want to maintain a safe ice supply for your customers and employees.
Ice Scoops
Ice scoops are a necessary ice machine safety for all ice bins. They are the safest way to grab ice from ice bins for customer of employees use. Ice scoops keep hands away from the ice, which can transfer germs to your ice supply. Ice scoops need proper care as well. Storing your ice scoop in a safe place can keep the surface free from contaminants.
Ozone in Ice Machines
Ozone is a natural gas that works 3000 times faster than chlorine. Ozone occurs naturally in sunlight and lightning. Ozone generators are used in water treatment plants to keep water free of harmful contaminants. Our ozone generators are a state-of-the-art ice safety solution that keeps your ice machine free of mold, slime, and other contaminant that can make people sick. They are a great addition to ice machine located in bakeries, breweries, and hospitals.
Health Inspection Tips
Did you know the ice machine is one of the first places health inspectors check? Ice machines are susceptible to mold and slime, which is easy for a city health inspector to spot. While mold and slime may not pose a huge risk to customers, an inspector will cite you for a health violation which can damage the reputation of your business.
Keeping Your Ice Machine Clean and Sanitary
Eliminating harmful germs like bacteria, viruses, and mold will keep your ice supply clean and sanitary. Employees should perform routine, light cleaning on the ice machine throughout the workweek. Ice machine manufacturers also suggest receiving at least 2 professional cleaning visits from a qualified ice machine technician. A technician will clean, disinfect, and sanitize your ice machine inside and out.
Cleaning Your Ice Bin
Keeping your ice bin clean is just as important as cleaning you ice machine. Your ice bin holds your ice supply, so it’s imperative to make sure the inside of the bin is sanitary. Employees should aim to clean the inside of their ice bin every month. That includes cleaning any mold or slime they see as well as disinfecting and sanitizing the inside liner. Employees should also clean and disinfect any high-use areas of the bin, like the bin door handle.
Cleaning Your Ice Machine
Ice machines need routine cleaning around the exterior to prevent accidental contamination of your ice supply. Ice machine manufacturers recommend at least 2 professional cleanings per year. During professional cleanings, the technician will clean areas inside your ice machine that are hard to reach. An ice machine technician will take apart the machine and clean, disinfect, and sanitize each component within the unit to guarantee it produces safe ice.
Maintain a Safe Ice Supply with Our All-Inclusive Ice Machine Subscription
With our all-inclusive subscriptions, you get the best Hoshizaki and Manitowoc commercial ice equipment on the market. We guarantee performance with routine preventive maintenance and cleaning. Our team of Ice Machine Experts will ensure your ice supply stays safe and sanitary. A qualified ice machine technician will clean your commercial ice machine inside and out. We even include 24-hour phone service to assist you any time. You get it all for a low, monthly cost!
Keep your customers and employees safe with an Easy Ice subscription. We deep clean ice machines twice a year to ensure your machine is safe and efficient.
