Ice cream is among the first things that come to mind when summer months are mentioned. Ice cream is loved and consumed by people of all ages with its unique taste. However, eating wrong ice cream poses a danger to our health. Ali Manavoğlu, Head of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Food Engineers, said that ice cream with small ice particles and crystallization should not be eaten as it can cause food poisoning. Manavoğlu said, “The crystalline, sandy taste is the biggest proof that ice cream melts and refreezes. Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and fatigue symptoms can be seen due to harmful microorganisms.”
ICE CREAM CONTAINS RICH MINERALS
Stating that ice cream is a rich food item in terms of protein, carbohydrates, fat and minerals such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc, Ali Manavoğlu said, “Because of its cooling feature on hot summer days, “Because ice cream, which is consumed with love, is made from milk, it is a food that is suitable for spoilage and microorganism growth like every dairy product. Ice cream that is not kept in a hygienic environment can cause food poisoning,” he said.
ICE CREAM MUST BE SERVED UNDER HYGIENIC CONDITIONS
Pointing out that it is one of the important mistakes that the spoons used to serve the ice cream to the cone are placed in a glass of water by the salesperson when the work is finished, Manavoğlu stated that the microorganisms formed in the water contaminate the ice cream with the spoon. Manavoğlu emphasized that the serving spoons should be washed and cleaned frequently.
ICE CREAM MUST BE STORED AT THE SUITABLE TEMPERATURE
Emphasizing that ice cream must be kept in deep freezers until it is put on sale after it is produced, since ice cream is sensitive to spoilage, Manavoğlu continued: “If ice cream produced from milk is not kept at the appropriate temperature, salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, enterobacteriaceae bacteria may occur. Ice cream should be stored at 18 degrees below zero. “When you take the ice cream with a spoon, it should be careful that it is frozen. The crystalline, sandy taste when you taste it is the biggest proof that the ice cream has melted and re-frozen. Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and weakness can be seen due to harmful microorganisms.”
ATTENTION IF THERE IS A VISUAL DEFECT IN THE PACKAGING
Pointing out that ice creams offered for sale in environments without adequate cooling system and exposed to sunlight and dust may adversely affect health, Manavoğlu stated that the production and expiry date of the packaged ice cream on the label should be paid attention to, and ice creams whose packaging has been torn, taste and smell should not be consumed. . When we look at the labels of the packaged products, which are consumed fondly with their colorful appearance and fruity aroma, Manavoğlu explains that most of them are vegetable oil milk ice, “We can easily understand that the packaged products are spoiled while consuming. “You can understand the deterioration of the product. The consumer should inform the relevant company before throwing away the ice cream packaging,” he said.