What are the hygiene and food safety rules for ice used in drinks in Ireland?

In Ireland, ice served in drinks is treated as a food. That means your handling and storage need to follow the same food safety and HACCP basics you apply to ready-to-eat items.

Key controls that typically matter in inspections:

Dedicated scoop and holder: never use a glass as a scoop. Store the scoop off the ice in a clean, dedicated place.

Keep ice protected: minimise hand contact and protect from splash, dust and cross-contamination.

Clean, documented routines: keep a simple log for cleaning and sanitising of your ice equipment and contact parts.

Separate food and ice practices: avoid storing loose ice beside open food, raw items or strong-odour products.

If you need to hold loose ice for drinks, a purpose-built ice bin is normally easier to keep consistently compliant than improvising loose-ice storage inside a freezer.

Read the full guide: Unifrost Upright Freezer vs. Ice Storage Bin: Essential Guide for Irish Kitchens.