With summer time in full throttle, nothing is more in demand than bagged ice. Manhattan vendors may find themselves consistently restocking ice products in order to meet the needs of their customers. If you are a vendor of this product, here are few things to consider when trying to meet the demand of your customers.
Potential Hazards
Just as there are benefits to being a vendor in the bagged ice business, there are risks and hazards as well. In order to be successful in this field, it is important to know the risks associated with selling ice packaged in bags. Manhattan vendors, may actually have a higher risk factor due to the urban environment in which they sell the ice product. One of the main issues surrounding selling bagged ice has to do with contamination. Depending on how the facility which handles the ice is maintained, contamination is a huge hazard. It is not uncommon for the ice to be contaminated with E.Coli, or Salmonella bacteria.
How Does Contamination Occur?
When impure water is used or ice machines are contaminated then the possibility for a health hazard increases. Another common contamination factor is improper ice handling. . In other words, storing ice in containers that are not properly clean or even handling and transporting ice with dirty hands or dirty utensils.
Standards and Regulations
While there are strict standards and regulations in place that ice vendors and packers are supposed to follow, it is not entirely uncommon for these rules to be circumvented. The regulating agency has assembled a few pointers that vendors and consumers alike should review when making a purchase for bagged ice.
- It should be free of dirty and foreign objects.
- It should be secured without a drawstring.
- It should be colorless and odorless.
- Ice bags should display the name of the manufacturer and the IPIA logo on it.
Does Freezing Kill Germs?
Unfortunately, when it comes to these ice products, freezing temperatures does not kill off or prevent bacteria or germs. Following the strict guidelines set forth by the IPIA is the best way to do this.
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