Make Sure Your Ice Is Safe And Clean

You may think that all ice is the same, but if you have contaminated ice, you and your family could be risking your health.

As the weather begins to heat up, so does ice consumption to keep beverages and food cold and fresh. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a picnic at the park or a daily glass of iced tea, people need safe, clean ice.

Recent news reports have shown that some ice in fast-food restaurants is dirtier than toilet water. Whether processed and packaged from a moldy ice machine, mishandled through the use of dirty buckets or even hand-scooped by dirty hands, it is difficult to know exactly what you’re buying and consuming.

Here are a few tips for purchasing clean, safe ice:

• Ice should be clear in color as well as odorless and tasteless.

• The bag should be properly closed and secure.

• The bag should have the manufacturer’s name, address and phone number.

• The bag should be free of any foreign objects.

• The bag should have a product code.

According to a recent study conducted by Michigan State University, there is a heightened concern with safety of foods...