Hubbard Ice Systems Applauds HPA Comment on Ice Hygiene
Responding to recent National newspaper reports highlighting the “Chilling truth about the ice in your drink”, the UK’s distributor of leading ice making machine brand, Scotsman, is praising the Health Protection Agency for raising awareness of the importance of good hygiene at all times.
Chris Davis, Commercial Director of Hubbard Ice Systems says; “Hygiene has always been vitally important throughout the hospitality sector and with the development of the new generation of easy-to-use Scotsman Ice Making Machines maintaining good hygiene is now considerably easier for users. In fact, since the HPA carried out its original research in 2009, its provisional figures for 2010 show that ‘Laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O157 illness, acquired in the UK’ has fallen by over 20%*, which may show that our efforts at raising the awareness of good hygiene is paying dividends”.
* Food Standards Agency - Measuring foodborne illness levels March 2011
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/microbiology/58736
He continues; “Hubbard Ice Systems actively promote good hygiene practice with the sale of every machine and conduct user training programmes for the majority of our customers. This systemic approach to consistent hygiene maintenance combined with the unique features of the Scotsman range, which includes an efficient, food-safe anti-microbial agent, contained in a pouch positioned on the inner side of the sliding bin door.
The pouch releases a vapour that creates an invisible "film" on the surface of the bin, on the scoop and on the ice. This film immediately vapourises when the ice meets the air outside of the bin. To safe-guard the efficiency of the system, the pouch should be replenished on a monthly basis”.
Other Scotsman features ensure the best way to prevent contamination of ice is by avoiding microbial proliferation on the surfaces in contact with the cubes including the ice-scoop. The scoop-holder is positioned inside the bin, in a safe environment, so the scoop is always at hand for quick and hygienic collection of ice. Scotsman also incorporates AquaArmor in the production of the bin components of most of its models. This utilises AgION, a silver-based anti-microbial compound to ensure that surfaces in contact with ice are kept free of contamination as part of the regular cleaning regime.
Good personal hygiene and a rigorous equipment sanitising regime are however, the only way to ensure the maximum hygiene in the food service environment and any additional product features should always be regarded as over and above the standard hygiene process.
