MFDS Conducts Intensive Hygiene Inspection of Edible Ice and Slush at Cafes and Fast Food Restaurants

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is strengthening hygiene and safety management for edible ice, slushies, ice cream, and cold brew (Dutch coffee), whose demand increases ahead of summer.

The Ministry announced on the 2nd that from the 7th to the 20th of this month, it will collect these products nationwide in cooperation with 17 local governments to test for food poisoning bacteria, E. coli, bacterial count, food coloring, and more. Products deemed non-compliant based on the test results will be subject to administrative measures, recall, and disposal according to relevant laws and regulations.

According to the Ministry’s collection and inspection results of edible ice from coffee shops over the past three years, the non-compliance rate has decreased from 18% in 2019 to 4% in 2020 and 3% last year. This is interpreted as a result of the Ministry’s annual collection and inspection efforts, continuous education and promotion of hygiene management guidelines for ice makers and edible ice during summer, and business operators strengthening hygiene management such as cleaning and disinfecting ice makers.

Business operators handling these products should regularly clean and disinfect ice makers, replace filters, and clean water supply and drainage hoses to remove water stains and sediment inside the ice makers. Additionally, tools used to handle ice (scoops) should be sanitized and disinfected using agents suitable for food preparation utensils and containers/packaging, and the tools should be thoroughly dried to ensure no disinfectant residue remains on their surfaces.

To strengthen management of ice makers, this year the Ministry plans to expand ice collection locations from coffee shops to fast food outlets and provide hygiene management guidelines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.