Expensive coffee's 'betrayal': Ice bacteria counts exceed standards

A popular cafe in South Korea, known for its European-style interior and charging 7,500 won for an iced coffee, is facing scrutiny after its ice was found to contain excessive bacteria. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) conducted a crackdown on edible ice used in iced beverages, inspecting 409 samples from various establishments including coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, and convenience stores.

Out of the inspected samples, four were found to be non-compliant with bacterial count standards. The cafe in question, which had a bacterial count of 3,000 per milliliter, significantly exceeded the permissible limit of 1,000. The MFDS stated that administrative actions would be taken against the non-compliant businesses.

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The bacterial count standard for edible ice is 1,000 per milliliter, but the inspection results for the establishment in question showed 3,000, exceeding the standard.

The inspection, which ran from late June to early July, also included newly developed ice products containing fruit pieces. While these innovative products met all standards, the traditional ice from machine dispensers proved problematic in some cases. The MFDS emphasized that the inspections were part of efforts to ensure the safety and hygiene of edible ice, a product with increased consumption during the hot summer months.

In response to the findings, the MFDS has ordered the immediate suspension of ice machine usage at the non-compliant establishments. They are required to clean and sanitize their equipment, replace filters, and ensure that only hygienically produced ice is used moving forward. The ministry also distributed guidelines on the proper maintenance of ice-making machines to businesses, urging regular cleaning and sanitation.

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We will continue to strengthen safety management by proactively conducting inspections on seasonal high-consumption products and new types of food.