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Nutrition and daily life

Ice and ice cream: cold, but safe

Freezing does not kill germs; it only stops them growing. So ice must be made from safe water and ice cream from pasteurised milk. This section covers the safety of cold foods.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Ice from boiled water.
Figure 1.Home ice — Ice and ice cream: cold, but safe

01Short answer

At home make ice from bottled water or water boiled and cooled. Avoid iced drinks in cafés, restaurants and on the street. Factory-sealed ice cream is usually fine. Avoid soft-serve from machines, homemade ice cream and loose scooped ice cream; machines are hard to clean and Listeria cases have been reported. Do not refreeze melted ice cream. With mouth sores, cool ice cream and ice can soothe. With some chemotherapy drugs sucking ice is advised, while with others (such as oxaliplatin) cold must be avoided; ask your team.

02Simple explanation

Ice from safe water.

Factory-sealed ice cream.

No soft-serve.

Do not refreeze melted ice cream.

03Scientific explanation

Studies: Listeria outbreaks have been linked to soft-serve machines and scooped ice cream.

WHO: foodborne illness is more severe in people with weakened immunity; the five keys are keep clean, separate, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.

04What happens in the body?

Homemade ice cream

Avoid recipes with raw egg; use pasteurised products.

A lidded ice cream cup.
Figure 2.Sealed ice cream — Ice and ice cream: cold, but safe

Ice packs

Do not put non-food ice into drinks.

An ice cream machine in shadow.
Figure 3.Machine aside — Ice and ice cream: cold, but safe

Neutropenia

When neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.

General rules

This section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

05Safety: four steps

Check, swap the risky, prepare properly, use in time.

Check — Date and condition.1CheckDate and condition.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Prepare — Clean and thorough.3PrepareClean and thorough.
In time — No delay.4In timeNo delay.
CleanHands and surfaces.
CookGerms die.
ColdGrowth slows.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Homemade ice creamAvoid recipes with raw egg; use pasteurised products.
Ice packsDo not put non-food ice into drinks.
NeutropeniaWhen neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.
General rulesThis section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

07Key terms

Soft-serve
Ice cream dispensed from a machine.
Listeria
A bacterium that survives in the cold.
Foodborne infection
An infection spread through food or water.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Safe ice.
  • Sealed ice cream.
  • No machine ice cream.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Call if you have a fever.

09Frequently asked questions

Is iced water in a restaurant OK?

During treatment ask for no ice and a sealed bottle.

Are ice lollies OK?

Factory-sealed ones usually are.

Are these rules for ever?

No. They are usually relaxed as blood counts recover; your team will say.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is iced water in a restaurant OK?

  2. Are ice lollies OK?

  3. Are these rules for ever?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food manual
  2. World Health Organization. Food safety fact sheet
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safe Food Handling
  4. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Leftovers and Food Safety
  6. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?
  7. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freezing and Food Safety
  8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  9. Food Standards Agency (UK). Chilling
  10. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2019. Neutropenic diets to prevent cancer infections: updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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