Below are listed 5 reasons why you should never choose a soft ice cream when you need to satisfy your ice cream hunger.
1. Softis machines can have dangerous bacteria
Since soft ice cream comes from a machine, it is vulnerable to contamination if the machines are not cleaned properly. According to Janilyn Hutchings, a certified professor of food safety from State Food Safety, “soft ice cream machines should be cleaned and disinfected every 10-24 hours.”
If restaurant managers or ice cream vendors are not diligent about regular cleaning, the machines can quickly develop mold or, even worse, become a breeding ground for all kinds of invisible bacteria.
2…And these machines are hard to keep clean
Cleaning the machines is not a simple process. According to the professor, these machines often contain parts that can be removed and cleaned, while other parts must be cleaned on the machine itself. Training employees to properly disassemble and clean machines can be challenging, and even if employees know how to do it correctly, Janilyn Hutchings says this task is “often forgotten” in the cleaning routines of employees.
In other words, it is quite likely that the machine your soft ice cream comes from will not be cleaned well enough.
3. The soft ice cream mixture itself can also easily become full of bacteria
Many soft ice creams are made with an unpasteurized base that must be stored at refrigeration temperature – just below freezing. But according to Vermont State Agricultural Guidelines, this temperature range ensures that the ice mass, which already contains natural bacteria and has a high potential to grow faster due to the high moisture level, remains safe for human consumption.
But it is an incredibly specific and incredibly difficult boundary. There is a good chance that your ice cream has been exposed to all kinds of bacterial growth before it lands in your waffle. That’s what delish.com writes.
4.And all these bacteria can make you seriously ill
In recent decades, there have been many cases of food poisoning caused by soft ice cream. Back in 2005, over 120 people in Ohio became ill when an ice machine was contaminated with staphylococci.
In a more recent case from 2016, two hospitalized patients in Seattle became even sicker after eating milkshakes from the hospital canteen. In the latter case, their milkshakes were contaminated with listeria, which is probably the most dangerous because it can be fatal.
Listeria is the third leading cause of food-related deaths in the United States. It can be fatal to anyone, but the professor says it is of particular concern to pregnant women because it can have serious effects on the baby, including premature birth or stillbirth.
5. There are other ways to get soft ice cream
At this point, you may be tempted to hit the panic button. Please don’t do it. Yes, soft ice cream from a soft ice cream machine may not be the safest option, but there are other ways to satisfy your soft ice cream needs. Try this simple trick to make your own soft ice cream with just a few ingredients.
You can also take any “regular” ice cream, let it melt for a few minutes, then whip/stir the ice cream until it’s soft and creamy.
