IPIA Responds to Alarming CDC Report on Bacterial Infections Linked to Hospital Ice Machines

For Immediate Release
October 21, 2024

Contact: Maria Maggio, IPIA Executive Director
​(800) 742-0627

LUTZ, FL – The International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) has issued a statement in response to an alarming report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that demonstrates the dangers of unsanitary ice machines in health care settings such as hospitals. The report details 46 cases of infections tied to unsafe ice across four hospitals in California and Colorado between 2020 and 2024.

This CDC report, along with multiple independent studies, clearly demonstrates that ice machines can harbor dangerous microorganisms and water-related bacteria. In this case, contaminated ice and water from ice machines were linked to infections caused by Burkholderia multivorans, a bacterium that poses significant risks to critically ill or immunocompromised patients. These infections are difficult to treat due to the bacterium's natural resistance to many antibiotics, making prevention even more critical.
 
Other key findings from the CDC’s report include:
 

• 46 cases of Burkholderia multivorans infections (sequence type ST659) were identified across four hospitals in California and Colorado between 2020 and 2024. This microorganism was isolated from ice machines in two of the hospitals, confirming contamination as the source.
• Infections occurred in two hospitals in Southern California, one in Northern California, and one in Colorado. All affected hospitals used the same brand of ice machines, water filters, descaling, and sanitizing products.
• Most patients affected by the outbreak were in medical intensive care units (ICUs), with respiratory specimens being the most common source of bacterial isolates.
• In Colorado, infections were also found in intra-abdominal specimens, correlating with the practice of applying ice bags directly to surgical wounds.

 
To address this public health hazard, IPIA strongly urges all health care entities that produce their own ice to ensure proper maintenance of ice machines and avoid using tap water or ice for vulnerable patients in high-risk settings. Hospitals should implement stringent water management programs and ice machine cleaning and sanitizing schedules to minimize the risk of waterborne infections, especially in critical care environments.
 
The IPIA believes this should give the average consumers pause about where they buy their packaged ice.  This report rightly points out that all need to be concerned when there are water safety alerts from municipal entities.   Maria Maggio, Executive Director of the IPIA, added that, “We recommend that all manufacturers of packaged ice, including those who bag ice within retail environments such as convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and vending machines properly clean and sanitize their commercial ice machines that may have been exposed to contaminated water.”  Maria added, “It is also critical for restaurants to dispose of all ice made during the boil water period and properly clean and sanitize their ice machines on property.”
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For more information about the International Packaged Ice Association and its initiatives, visit www.packagedice.com.
 
About the International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA):
The International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) is a trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of packaged ice. Committed to promoting the safety and quality of packaged ice products, the IPIA serves as a valuable resource for industry professionals and consumers alike.