Spot checks find contaminated ice in North East Lincolnshire pubs
"WOULD you like ice with that?"
Eight out of 12 pubs in the area so far have failed spot checks by North East Lincolnshire's food health team for contaminated ice during the run-up to the festive season – with results even showing faecal contamination at two of the venues.
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In both these cases, traces of bacteria were found in ice buckets behind the bar and it's likely that it was caused by staff failing to wash their hands after using the toilet.
Council bosses have refused to name the venues involved.
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Food health inspectors gave warnings and advice to the eight pubs where traces of contamination were found and the premises will be visited again to check that poor hygiene is not putting customers at risk.
They are checking that staff are washing their hands properly, cleaning ice making machines frequently and effectively, cleaning and storing ice scoops correctly and storing and handling ice safely.
Ice cubes can be a potential source of contamination from germs including E-Coli if they are not made, stored or handled correctly.
People can check that the basic precautions listed below are being followed to ensure ice is properly handled when ordering drinks in a pub or bar:
Check that ice buckets are in a clean area of the bar, away from sources of contamination.
Customers should not be able to serve their own ice as this increases the risk of contamination with potentially harmful bacteria.
Serving staff should use a scoop with a handle to serve ice (not a glass or other similar receptacle).
The scoop should be stored in a container alongside the ice bucket rather than in the ice bucket, where it may fall in and bacteria from the handle may contaminate the ice.
Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "Nobody wants to spend Christmas with an upset stomach or worse because they've had a drink made with dodgy ice cubes.
"It's simply not acceptable for premises serving drinks to be putting their customers at risk by not taking sensible hygiene precautions.
"Our inspectors are making unannounced visits to the area's pubs and bars and giving advice and warnings to premises where improvements could be made."
If you have concerns that a bar or pub is putting its customers health at risk, you can speak to the bar manager yourself or report it to the council's food health team on 01472 324770.
Comments
by GeneGenie
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 8:07PM
“I had a **** in an ice bucket in spain once, nobody got ill, people thought it was a flake.”
by stevegreatcoa
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:45PM
“Council bosses have refused to name the venues involved.
Food health inspectors gave warnings and advice to the eight pubs where traces of contamination were found and the premises will be visited again to check that poor hygiene is not putting customers at risk.
so when I become ill after visiting one of These unknown venues I can sue the council under vicarious liability as they knowing let me visit it the venue when they knew they had feacal contamination in thier ice yet would not advise the public. Easy money.”
by davendogs
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 12:04PM
“Oi, I'll have you know I do wash my hands. If I need to sit on a toilet I make a ring on the seat with tissue too. Here's food for thought. Ever been to a buffet or had snacks at the bar. Mind out for the peanuts. It's door handles and bannister rails that catch me out. Doors aren't always too bad I can use my foot or elbow.”
by lizidrip
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:41AM
“I expect that the council wants to keep local businesses open and by not saying which pubs are failing to maintain basic health standards, are protecting the businesses, but failing to protect the public.
I find this attitude disgraceful, it shows where the councils priorities lie, with business bringing in money not local people.”
by 4caster
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:40AM
“Sadly, we can always rely on filthy creatures like "davendogs" not to wash their hands after defecating, and to spread their pathogens to surfaces ranging from door handles to money.
We expect staff who handle food and drink to be better trained, but they touch money too, hence the requirement for ice scoops to have handles, and not to be kept in ice-buckets.
NELC should not protect the identities of the guilty establishments, because that casts doubt on the innocent ones too.”
by davendogs
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:05AM
“It's no big thing. You will find more than that on the door handle when you enter. Stop with all this clinical clean. It does you good to have a bit of muck, keeps the old immune system on its toes. If your tummy is that sensitive, stay at home.”
by itsjustaride
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 10:59AM
“I am not surprised.
next time I order a JD and coke must remember to "add a couple of blocks of fecal matter".”
by smitsus
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 10:56AM
“this is disgusting, why are they not being named and shamed, shall not be wanting ice in my drinks from now on. YukYuk”