Ice Can Also Cause Food Poisoning!

Emphasizing that ice is also a food and can contain harmful microorganisms, Nutrition and Diet Expert Hülya Yiğit said, “If the water used when freezing ice is not clean, if the ice is touched with bare hands when being placed in glasses, and if the ice is not stored under appropriate conditions, it can also become a living space for harmful microbes.” Drawing attention to the fact that ice should not be thawed and refrozen and that clean water should be used for ice making, Yiğit reminded that food poisoning can occur a few hours or a few days after the consumption of spoiled food.

Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Hülya Yiğit gave information about food poisoning that may occur due to ice, especially put in drinks and not stored under appropriate conditions during the summer months.

“Ice is also a food and can harbor harmful microorganisms”

Reminding that food poisoning has become more common with the increase in summer temperatures, Nutrition and Diet Expert Hülya Yiğit said, “However, recently, with the increase in cold drink consumption, we have been encountering ice poisoning as well as food poisoning. Ice is also a food and can contain harmful microorganisms.”

Noting that tap water is generally used when freezing ice, Yiğit explained, “If the water used when freezing ice is not clean, if the ice is touched with bare hands when being placed in glasses, if the hands of the person touching the ice are not clean and if the ice is not stored under appropriate conditions, it can become a living space for harmful microbes.”

Ice Must Be Stored According to Hygienic Conditions! 

Nutrition and Diet Specialist Hülya Yiğit emphasized that when ice is used, it should be ensured that the ice is not thawed and refrozen and that it is made from clean water, adding, “Businesses should pay attention to the cleanliness of the machines they use to make ice. At home, baking soda water can be used to clean ice molds to prevent odors.”

Stating that food poisoning can occur a few hours or a few days after consuming spoiled food, Yiğit concluded his words as follows:

“Symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are frequently observed in cases of food poisoning. Replacing fluids lost by the body and following a low-fat diet are important in cases of food poisoning. It should also be remembered that ice is a food product and requires careful storage and presentation to the consumer under hygienic conditions.” DOI number: https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.62240

Source: HORECA TREND and Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital