Poor hygiene practices may be putting children buying whipped ice cream at risk of food poisoning, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
The FSAI published a new information booklet today targeting those involved in the sale of soft whipped or scoop ice cream.
The authority warned that poor hygiene practices can increase the risk of food poisoning bacteria in such ice cream.
The bacteria can be found in and on people's bodies, on dirty food equipment, on the premises and on counters. Those particularly at risk of food poisoning are young children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.
Typical symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pains and headaches.
According to the FSAI, all food businesses have a legal obligation to produce food in a hygienic manner, implement a food safety management system, implement a traceability and recall system, and ensure staff are supervised and instructed in food hygiene matters.
"With the summer season fast approaching, consumption levels of soft serve ice cream will be at their annual peak," said Dr Wayne Anderson of the FSAI.
"It is therefore vital that we advise food handlers and food business owners and managers nationwide to ensure that the necessary food hygiene practices are in place."