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Serious hygiene deficiencies in ice creams High germ density detected in ice cream
On a hot summer's day there is hardly anything cooler than delicious ice cream. It tastes best from the ice cream parlor. But it is often not as clean as a study by the Hessian state laboratory has shown. The experts discovered hygiene deficiencies, in many samples germs were discovered.
Calorie goodies in the summer
For a nice summer's day, many citizens have to enjoy a delicious ice cream. However, health experts advise against overconsumption, as ice cream is one of the typical calorie traps in summer. However, not all varieties are calorie bombs. More and more ice cream parlors now rely on calorie-reduced ice cream with quark, yogurt or stevia. What is neglected in some ice cream parlors, however, is hygiene. This has been shown in a recent investigation.
On a hot summer's day there is hardly anything tastier than an ice cream. However, germs are often found in it, as a recent study has shown. (Image: Kalim / fotolia.com) Regular checks
Around eight liters of ice cream are consumed in Germany per capita per year. Ice cream parlors and cafés are regularly checked by the official food control department - also in Hessen - so that the enjoyment of ice cream remains a pleasure in summer.
There the ice samples are taken from the assortment by the responsible veterinary offices and examined in the Hessian state laboratory.
According to a statement from the laboratory, 40 samples (15.4%) of the so far 259 of these plan samples had to be rejected because of hygiene shortcomings this summer.
No pathogens
According to the information, there was thus a slight increase in the rate of complaints compared to the previous year (11.9%).
In detail, four out of 43 samples of ice cream (9.3%), 17 of 126 samples of milk ice cream (13.5%) and 19 of 90 samples of "ice cream" (21%) - ice cream called "ice cream" and may also contain vegetable fat, eg Strawberry ice cream.
"These findings were not harmful to health, so we can reassure consumers," said the director of the Hessian State Laboratory, Prof. Dr. med. Hubertus Brunn, with.
"For in no sample have we found Salmonella or Listeria."
"Indicators of hygiene and fecal contamination"
"The proven germs all came from the family Enterobacteriaceae, which are also part of a healthy intestinal flora in humans and animals. They serve as indicators of hygiene deficiencies and fecal contamination, "explained Brunn.
"The reasons for germs in ice cream are almost always the inappropriate handling of ice cream scoops. These are often stored in stagnant water or even wiped with unclean cloth, "said the director.
The fact that cleaning utensils such as rags or sponges are true germicides has recently been shown in a study by German scientists.
The experts recommend not cleaning kitchen sponges, but regularly (about once a week) to dispose of or exchange them with new ones.
Cream still noticeable
In addition to the ice cream samples, a sample of whipped cream from the whipping machines was also examined from each ice cream parlor. Out of 102 samples, 50 had to be challenged for hygiene deficiencies.
This corresponds to a complaint rate of around 49 percent, which is therefore significantly lower than in the previous year (about 61%)..
"But the still high number of complaints is still attributable to incorrect handling of the equipment, inadequate cleaning and disinfection, and inadequate and inadequate maintenance of the equipment," explained Director Brunn.
"If liquid cream remains in the device overnight and is not sufficiently cooled, germs can multiply cheerfully there. Also, porous gaskets in which germs can settle are not exchanged to the required extent, "says Brunn. (Ad)