New Consumer Resource on Packaged Ice Safety Unveiled: Safeice.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jane McEwen, Executive Director, IPIA (800) 742-0627

Tampa, FL---Armed with new scientific evidence, the International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) has launched a new consumer-focused website designed to empower consumers to make smarter choices when purchasing packaged ice for their family. 

Following the most comprehensive and important study to ever look at the safety of packaged ice, the IPIA realized consumers needed to learn about the results.  This website is a resource designed to educate consumers about safety concerns raised in the University of Georgia study and elsewhere.  The website – www.safeice.org – will provide consumers with critical information about the University of Georgia study; will show consumers what brands of packaged ice to look for at their local retail outlet; track ice safety news and alerts; debunk common myths about ice safety, and; will provide all the resources consumers will need to make the right choice when buying packaged ice. 
​
Jane McEwen, IPIA Executive Director stated, “Safeice.org is the number one site on the web for consumers to be educated about packaged ice.”  And, McEwen continued, “Consumers should look for the IPIA logo when purchasing packaged ice in member branded packaging and a growing number of retail private label packaging.”

About the IPIA: The IPIA represents more than 400 packaged ice manufacturing facilities and distributors.  The IPIA mandates as a prerequisite to association membership that member producers demonstrate compliance with Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards (PIQCS).   Because of the lack of packaged ice manufacturing regulations or guidelines, PIQCS was developed by our membership in 1998 and is based on the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices expanded and made specific to packaged ice. PIQCS includes HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and mandatory verification by finished product testing.