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Every fourth inspected ice cream parlor had to suspend sales
Sanepid examined ice cream parlors in West Pomerania (material from 2023)tvn24
The Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (Sanepid) conducted inspections of ice cream establishments across twelve counties in West Pomerania. Out of 85 samples collected, twenty revealed heightened levels of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, indicating unsatisfactory sanitary conditions. Inspectors ordered the cessation of production and mandated a thorough cleaning of the equipment.
The Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station disclosed on Friday the findings from inspections of ice cream machinery conducted in August across 12 West Pomeranian poviats.
Among the 85 samples analyzed, 20 exhibited elevated levels of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. „These microorganisms serve as indicators of insufficient sanitary conditions of the equipment or mistakes in the production process,” stated Małgorzata Kapłan, spokesperson for the WSEZ Szczecin.
– Just like in the previous campaign conducted in July, no pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes were found in any of the samples – she remarked.
Previous irregularities were identified in these locations
She highlighted that the ice cream production and sales sites where prior irregularities had been noted were specifically chosen for inspection.
As reported by PAP in mid-July, the sanitary-epidemiological station in West Pomeranian Voivodeship inspected 41 ice cream parlors, collecting 205 samples, and discovered Enterobacteriaceae levels exceeding permissible limits in 100 of them. This indicated that the sanitary conditions of 20 out of 41 ice cream parlors were inadequate.
This time, irregularities were detected in 4 out of 17 inspected ice cream parlors: 2 in Koszalin County, 1 in Kołobrzeg County, and 1 in Świdwin County.
Employees of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station inspected ice cream parlors in 12 counties, primarily those catering to tourists, in the coastal region, as reported by Kapłan. „The test results indicate an improvement compared to July, but they also demonstrate that the hygiene of ice cream equipment requires continuous oversight,” she added.
Suspension of ice cream sales
Following the test results, four administrative decisions were issued with immediate effect, mandating the cleaning and disinfection of ice cream machines, retraining of staff, and – as emphasized by the WSSE spokeswoman – „verification of production and distribution processes, including risk analysis and identification of potential sources of contamination.”
Until satisfactory results are obtained, business owners are prohibited from producing or selling ice cream from the questioned machines.
„We are not imposing fines on businesses, but they must adhere to the sanitary inspection’s recommendations and bear the costs of tests confirming the efficacy of corrective measures,” Kapłan clarified. „The interruption of ice cream production and the wait for new results usually spans several days,” she concluded.
In mid-July, the West Pomeranian Sanitary and Epidemiological Station reported that half of the ice cream sampled from vending machines did not conform to sanitary standards. The most significant number of violations was identified in the Gryfice, Kamień, Kołobrzeg, Koszalin, Sławno, and Świnoujście counties. Of the 90 samples collected in these areas, 50 were flagged.
