Cold Hard Facts about Ice Sanitation

Dirty ice has become a big problem. Most of the major news networks have done investigative or undercover reports into the cleanliness of ice at many food service industries, including convenience stores, fast food restaurants and local eateries.

"Ice one of the staples of summer – it’s in our drinks, in our coolers, at our parties. And chances are, you don't think twice about how safe it is. But one boy got a virus from ice that later caused his death."* Read full article here.

Foodservice establishments all of the country have had ice machines and dispensers that tested positive for fecal coli bacteria, which is an imminent health danger. While it may seem like having your icemaker shut down for a few days isn't a big blow to business, poor public opinion caused by negative press could do quite a bit of damage to your reputation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a process by which it evaluates the sanitary conditions of food, called the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The HACCP is used in the food industry to identify potential food safety hazards, so that key actions, known as Critical Control Points (CCP's) can be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of the hazards being realized. All of these ice sanitation items are essential tools for keeping ice clean and free of bacteria and germs that could cause a failed health inspection.*

Safety Scoops and Safety Scoops with Holders Combo

Safety scoops work by preventing contact between the ice and the hand and arm of the person holding the scoop. These scoops have two "Germ Guards" to prevent cross-contamination; one positioned against the scoop itself that stops the thumb from coming in contact with the ice, and another one under the handle, which prevents the knuckles and wrist from coming in contact with the ice. These scoops not only protect against ice-borne illnesses, but also show the public that you and your business are dedicated to proper sanitation. These scoops are commercial dishwasher safe, and comes in 6-10 oz., 12-16 oz. and 64 oz. varieties.

This combination safety scoop and ice scoop holder comes with mounting system that allows the holder to be positioned on the inside or the outside of an ice bin, in order to save space. The mounting bracket fits a wide variety of bin-lip dimensions. The holder has a removable bottom that can be sealed or left open to drain. The safety scoops that come in this set are exactly the same as the ones that are sold individually, with the same germ guards and other features. This scoop/holder combo is commercial dishwasher safe, and comes in 6-10 oz., 12-16 oz. and 64 oz. varieties.

Safety Scoop Holders

A safety scoop holder is a specially designed bucket where you can place your safety scoop, in order to keep it safe from bacteria, dirt and ice burial. The bottom of the holder is ribbed to keep the edge of the scoop dry, and it has a self-closing, hinged lid that allows easy, one-handed access to the scoop. The safety scoop holder available on this website comes with brackets and self-adhering strips or screws that make installation simple and keep the holder off the floor, which is a breeding ground for much of the filth you’re trying to keep off your ice scoops. This holder is made of durable, blue plastic, is dishwasher safe, and does NOT come with a safety scoop. It is "large" sized. Here is a collction of scoops that would work with this scoop holder.

Safety Ice Transport

Ice transport equipment varies greatly in size and scope. There are small, 3 quart ice buckets that are typically used in hotels, and are reusable, washable and have a separate lid. There are also larger, 6 gallon ice transport buckets, which have both a swinging top handle and a side handle, allowing you to easily carry the ice, but never forcing you to touch it with your hands. There is also a separate lid and wall bracket available with this ice transport bucket.

Lastly, there are 125 lb. and 200 lb. wheeled ice transports, which are constructed without any metal to ensure that there is no contamination from rust or corrosion. They have a patented multi-position, self-storing lid that allows for greater access to bin contents while preventing lid contamination.

Here is a full-screen view of all the Ice Transport products available through this website.**