Is It Safe to Eat Re-Frozen Ice Cream After It’s Melted?

3 people die after drinking milkshakes in the United States, 3 others hospitalized… Listeria bacteria found.
Survive at minus -0.5 °F and a long incubation period… Bacterial growth due to improper distribution processes.

Enjoying a scoop of ice cream or a frosty milkshake is a delightful treat. However, the idea of getting food poisoning from these frozen delights is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Nevertheless, the risk of foodborne illness is accurate, thanks to a pesky bacterium known as ‘Listeria.’

 

Infectious disease experts quickly note that “if you store ice cream improperly, it provides a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s best to avoid eating ice cream that has gone through the cycle of melting and refreezing, as this can cause changes in its texture.”

According to reports in the United States on August 22, health authorities in Washington State disclosed that three individuals tragically lost their lives between February 17 and July 22, while three others were hospitalized after consuming milkshakes from a local Tacoma hamburger franchise.

The sudden hospitalizations and fatalities triggered an investigation into the restaurant. The study uncovered the presence of Listeria bacteria in the milkshakes sold at the hamburger establishment. Remarkably, the same strain of bacteria was identified in the affected patients.

Health authorities suspect that the ice cream machine at the restaurant was inadequately cleaned, allowing the bacteria to flourish. Consequently, since May 29, those who visited the restaurant were advised to contact medical facilities immediately if they exhibited symptoms of Listeria infection. Taking swift action, the restaurant ceased using the ice cream machine on August 8.

Listeria bacteria are common in contaminated meat and dairy products and can thrive even at temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C). Moreover, Listeria has a potentially lengthy incubation period, potentially leading to more cases related to the Tacoma hamburger restaurant incident. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 1,600 people fall victim to Listeria annually, with 260 unfortunate souls succumbing to the infection.

Listeria infection is not under nationwide surveillance in South Korea for legally notifiable infectious diseases. Consequently, it remains a challenge to determine the number of patients precisely. Nonetheless, data collected from 208 medical institutions with hospital-level facilities across the country indicates 11 patients in 2022, 7 in 2021, and 8 in 2020.

Dr. Park Jeong-ha, a professor of infectious diseases at Chung-Ang University Hospital, offered a valuable insight, stating, “Improper storage of ice cream, particularly when subjected to repeated thawing and freezing, creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Consuming ice cream contaminated with Listeria bacteria under these conditions can lead to foodborne illness.”

Dr. Jung Jin-won, a professor of infectious diseases at Chung-Ang University Hospital, further clarified, “Listeria bacteria are frequently found in raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products. Listeria can thrive if milk is not adequately pasteurized, utilizing milk proteins as a nutrient source.”

While healthy individuals infected with Listeria may not exhibit specific symptoms, those with compromised immune systems or the elderly can experience symptoms such as fever and diarrhea. In severe cases, Listeria infection can progress to life-threatening conditions like sepsis and liver abscess.

To ensure safety and minimize the risk of food poisoning, it is strongly recommended to refrain from consuming ice cream that has undergone the cycle of melting and refreezing, resulting in a change in its texture, or has been stored for over a year. This is particularly crucial as these conditions increase the likelihood of harmful foodborne bacteria proliferation.

By. News1