Every seventh ice is contaminated with germs

Microbial load in ice cream: Every seventh ice cream in Hesse complains.

(03.08.2010) 362 ice cream samples have been examined by the Hessian State Laboratory and 49 of them have been objected to for reasons of hygiene. To the frightening result came the examiner after they tested the summer over vanilla, chocolate and nut ice cream from different ice cream platters in Hessen. As one of the significant uncertainty factors, the state laboratory has recognized the unclean ice cream scoops, which are the expression for a little careful handling of the processing of ice cream. Not under running water but only wiped with a damp cloth or immersed in stagnant water, quickly form on the scoopers germs, which are then further disseminated during processing. In subsequent re-examinations, the same abuses were observed in one third of the companies.

As disturbing as the results are with regard to the hygienic conditions in the ice cream parlors, however, a serious health risk does not originate from the microbial load, since they are only germs such as Enterobacteriacae and germs such as Salmonella or Listeria have not been detected, according to the Hessian State Laboratory.

On the other hand, the cream and cream whipping machines that were also examined showed a significantly worse result. Almost 3/4 of the samples were rejected for reasons of hygiene. Where the reasons are mostly in the wrong handling of the equipment, inadequate cleaning and disinfection and lack of and poor maintenance, so Roy Ackmann from the Hessian state laboratory opposite the Hessian Broadcasting.

To counteract the overall unsatisfactory results, the Hessian parliamentary group of the Greens calls for further expansion of precautionary consumer protection. "It is completely incomprehensible that the authorities are again finding food hygiene shortcomings and Consumer Protection Minister Lautenschläger remains inactive.The Minister must ensure greater transparency for consumers and ensure that hygiene problems are addressed as effectively as possible in the future," demands Angela Dorn, Consumer Policy Spokeswoman for the Greens, opposite the Hessian radio.

For a precautionary consumer protection an incentive punishment system should be introduced, which awards a Smiley badge food businesses, which are distinguished by a particularly good hygiene with controls,. On the other hand, establishments that stand out in the negative should be published on the Internet at the first infringement (after the statutory opposition period has expired) in order to ensure maximum transparency for the consumer. "The combination of incentive and punishment gives food companies a positive pressure to take action to ensure good hygiene in their operations.“ so Angela Dorn. (Fp)

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Picture: Kathrin Brechbühler