IPIA certified Reddy Ice is superior, better, and safer

Educational, Inside Reddy Ice

Considered a food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average American buys four bags of packaged ice each year, 80 percent of which is consumed between Memorial and Labor day. Let’s face it – we like our drinks frostier than anyone else on the planet. After a sweltering morning of hiking or trekking, or a parched afternoon spent repairing your car, a lukewarm beverage just won’t do.

Reddy Ice Lemon Drink

However, is the ice you’re consuming really safe? Not all bags of packaged ice are the same. Did you know that about 10 percent of the bacteria in contaminated water can withstand weeks of freezing? Bacteria and viruses can not only survive on ice cubes, some can even multiply. A study was done at the University of Texas in which Salmonella, E. Coli and Shigella all survived in ice cubes mixed with a cola drink, water and even alcohol – scotch as well as 85-proof tequila. Mishandled ice, due to any reason could be a serious health hazard.

Behind every frozen, delicious cube of Reddy Ice is a company that values consistency, quality, and service above all else. Our nationwide customer base has come to expect the highest standards in product quality, delivery and flexible service options. This commitment to exceptional service is why we are one of America’s leading brands in ice production and manufacturing.

Delicious Reddy Ice Cubes

Reddy Ice is Safe
There is a significant difference in the sanitary quality of ice depending on the process used to manufacture ice. Ice may simply be frozen water, but the freezing process does not guarantee destruction of the pathogens that might be present in the water supply. To make matters worse, additional pathogens can be introduced to the ice when the ice machine has slime and mold on its surfaces, un-sanitized ice scoops and/or infected food handlers. We are proud to ascertain packaged ice of highest caliber since our ice comes with the International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) label, and all our ice products adhere to their strict standards for safety and purity. Plus, being IPIA certified also ensures that our packaged ice is tested routinely for pathogens at independent laboratories.

Reddy Ice is Untouched
A lot of packaged ice is produced in the back rooms of convenience stores, liquor stores, fast-food restaurants and gas stations.  The manual bagging process followed by many of these manufacturers allows hand contact with the ice, which is a major source of contaminants. Reddy Ice produces IPIA Member packaged ice which is absolutely untouched by human hands. As IPIA members, we recognize that ice is food and meet mandatory safe packaged ice accreditation standards.

Reddy Ice is Regulated
Although Ice is defined as a food, there are no specific guidelines or regulations that address packaged ice manufacturing except for the IPIA’s self-regulated and developed Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards (PIQCS).  Being an IPIA manufacturing member, Reddy Ice meets these strict sanitary standards. Our packaged ice in any form – Traditional Cubed Ice and Block Ice – is produced in a ​food grade environment for a safe and sanitary food product for our consumers.

Bags of Reddy Ice with Fruits

So, the next time you consume ice, be sure to:
– Handle ice with clean, unbreakable utensils, such as tongs or an ice scoop.
– Avoid touching ice with dirty hands or glasses.
– Store ice in clean containers that are safe for storing food.
– Get your packaged ice from an IPIA-certified manufacturer (look for IPIA label on the bag). Or simply, call Reddy Ice at (214) 526 – 6740 today!

We’d love to hear about any safety pointers you have learned while consuming or handling ice.

Reddy Ice is proud to be part of the IPIA family. We firmly believe that ICE IS FOOD and should be safe to consume. For more information, or if you have any questions, reach out to us at https://www.reddyice.com/contact.