BLOG 180 ICE MACHINES
As a gal who dislikes cold water, well now I have more reason to feel this way. Scientists have said that ice coming from ice machines have more bacteria than toilet water. Some restaurants have been labeled a “hygiene risk” after inspection. Wishful thinking would tell us that this is because toilets are cleaned more often than the ice machine ? Hate to rain on the parade with a hail storm, there’s no such thing as being too cold for germs. What’s worse is that the standard of ice from these machines is that the bacteria that does exist, is at least at a level that is safe for human consumption. So yeah, it’s still there.
The number of cases of stomach upsets has increased by 50% since the 1990s. The problem is the cleaning of the machines and scoopers. Enterococci and E. coli have been readily found. Feces contamination is just disgusting. Coliform, is what the bacteria is called. It is found in the fecal matter of humans and animals. One might think that ice is just water so how can it contain all this without us at least seeing it?? Well, poor hygiene, i.e. not cleaning the machines, causes this science project to occur.
McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King, have all been found guilty. According to, Business Insider, (2017), “The coliform bacteria, which is found in human and animal feces, was discovered in three out of 10 ice samples from McDonald’s, six out of 10 samples from Burger King, and seven out of 10 samples from KFC.”
Even that ice maker at home has bacteria. Have you ever cleaned your ice maker?? I’m guilty of never even considering this. Luckily, some drinks can kill the bacteria on ice, but mostly just alcoholic beverages.
We know that chewing on ice is bad for our teeth. Sucking on ice can cause a brain freeze. Ice can be used to helped with inflammation. So basically ice is all bad to me haha with it’s negative associations. Because it has been so darn hot, I see a lot of ice in those bottles at the studio. This topic came to as a discussion about my dislike of cold water. I am that person that orders water without ice please. Well, now there’s proof in the logic. Now I will go enjoy my warm water and not be selfish so you can have all the bacteria ?
https://www.businessinsider.com/fecal-bacteria-found-in-ice-at-mcdonalds-kfc-and-burger-king-2017-7