Ice Maker Cleaning Service Worker Featured on YouTube Channel Revealed
A YouTube channel has sparked controversy by revealing ice made with an ice maker full of mold. Netizens commented on the video, saying, "I didn't expect it to be this bad," and "I can't order iced Americano at cafes anymore."
Recently, an ice maker cleaning professional appeared on the YouTube channel 'I am a Salesperson' and shared a related video, stating, "I never drink iced coffee."
Mr. A, who cleans ice makers and air conditioners, said in the video, "Many people drink iced beverages, but many don't know the condition of the ice, so I wanted to inform them." He expressed concerns, saying, "There are too many germs, from water mold to various viruses," and added, "There is also nickel, a substance that causes cancer, so consuming it continuously is not good for health."
In the video, he revealed photos of a blackened ice maker motor and water mold. Mr. A said, "Even franchise businesses don't look inside thoroughly when managing, so making clean ice is not easy," and added, "I don't drink iced coffee at cafes where I haven't cleaned the ice maker myself; I only drink hot coffee."
He continued, "Customers who get stomachaches don't think it's because of the ice," and explained, "No cafe neglects cleaning when they know the inside of the ice maker is this dirty. Most just don't know that the ice maker is this dirty, so they can't clean it."
Mr. A recommended, "The inside of the ice maker should be cleaned regularly every month," and said, "The safest ice is the one made with the ice tray in your home refrigerator."
Contaminated ice can cause food poisoning. Norovirus, one of the main causes of food poisoning, can survive for a long time even inside ice. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, norovirus in ice survived 99% after 3 days and about 45% even after 17 days. Norovirus can cause infection with a very small amount. If ice trays are reused without washing, the likelihood of Listeria bacteria growth also increases. Listeria can cause meningitis and sepsis. Moreover, if bacteria multiply as the ice melts, the risk of food poisoning increases.
So far, all edible ice detected by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for poor hygiene conditions was ice frozen with ice makers. During the process where employees handle ice scoops by hand, bacteria or foreign substances are transferred to the ice. Also, improper cleaning and disinfecting of the inside of ice makers is cited as a cause.
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