Viral YouTube video reveals the dangers of unclean ice cream machines

Commonly used but unclean ice-making machines in cafes and restaurants have raised concerns online as a YouTube video went viral highlighting the potential health risks of consuming ice cubes from such machines.

In a video posted in April on the Korean YouTube channel “I am a Businessperson” (direct translation) featuring salespeople and other business people, a cleaning service provider in his 50s who specializes in servicing air conditioners and ice machines underscores the prevalence of bad maintained ice machines in cafes and the health risks associated with consuming iced coffee with ice made from it.

“Ice machines are prone to water retention, mold and bacterial growth,” he explained, saying that without regular cleaning, such machines could expose the user to potentially carcinogenic nickel compounds. Such machines may be linked to stomach aches in consumers, although they may not attribute the problem to the ice from the ice machines because it appears “clean,” he said.

According to him, the neglect is largely unintentional as both consumers and cafe owners are usually unaware of the hygienic conditions in these machines. The labor-intensive and time-consuming process of disassembly to access their interior and clean each component individually further compounds the problem.

He clarified that his appearance on the channel was about educating both consumers and cafe owners about the importance of cleaning ice cream machines regularly. “They (cafe owners) should clean the machines themselves or hire a cleaning service. If only they knew,” he said.

In particular, concerns were raised in the comments section about the hygiene conditions of commercial ice cream machines in large franchise cafes. One comment said: “Is it safe to consume ice cream in large franchise cafes?” The photos (of the inside of the ice cream machines after use) are very concerning.”

Another commenter who claims to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome mentioned that they have completely avoided eating ice cubes in cafes and restaurants: “Seven out of ten times when I drink iced drinks outside, I get a stomach ache.”

Despite these concerns, some viewers expressed gratitude for the video. One commenter explained: “As a cafe owner I had no idea about this. I will take immediate action. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.