Picture this: It’s a sweltering summer afternoon, and you’re drenched in sweat. You’re craving an iced coffee or a refreshing roadside kala khatta gola. You might feel instantly refreshed after that first sip of an ice-cold drink. But did you know  that ice from a public place can cause a bunch of illnesses beyond the regular cold and cough?

Unlike food, where cooking kills bacteria, freezing doesn’t eliminate pathogens. It just puts them in hibernation until they enter your digestive system.

The dangers of adding ice in your drink

Ice may look crystal clear, but that doesn’t mean it’s pure. Whether it’s the cubes in your cocktail at a high-end bar, the crushed ice in your soda at a restaurant, or the slabs chilling your favourite street-side beverage, you rarely stop to think about its source. But here’s the shocking truth — ice can be a hidden carrier of bacteria, viruses, and even toxic chemicals. A study done by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai tested ice samples collected from street vendors and found that over 95 per cent were unfit for human consumption due to contamination by bacteria. And 74 per cent of ice samples contained E. coli which can cause severe food poisoning, diarrhoea, and typhoid.

In another survey done by the BMC, samples were taken from hotels, bars, fast food restaurants, ice sellers, juice corners and other sources. BMC found that 67-72 percent of the samples were contaminated. So, if you think your high-end establishments are safe, think again.

The problem starts at the source

Unlike packaged ice, which follows certain safety standards, the ice used in many local eateries, clubs and even restaurants in India is sourced from unregulated and unhygienic factories. Ever noticed those giant slabs of ice being transported in open trucks, uncovered, exposed to pollution, dust, and roadside grime? That’s the same ice that gets chipped down into cubes for your drinks. Many ice plants use untreated groundwater, which may contain industrial waste, heavy metals, and bacteria. Data from Jal Shakti Ministry shows the presence of arsenic in groundwater in parts of 230 districts in 25 states and fluoride in 469 districts in 27 states.

Ice is more than just contaminated water

If all this contamination hasn’t fazed you, this will. It is reported that in many cities, ice slabs from morgues are used as a replacement for fresh ice. Yes, the same ice that is used to stop the decay of dead bodies. Additionally, some ice manufacturers use industrial-grade chemicals to speed up freezing or to keep ice from melting quickly. These substances, when consumed, can irritate the digestive tract and cause nausea and even long-term health issues.

Beyond an upset stomach

What happens if you consume contaminated ice? It depends on what’s in it, but the health effects can be serious. Food poisoning is a common risk, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps caused by bacteria like E. coli. In more severe cases, ice contaminated with bacteria from untreated water can lead to typhoid and cholera, both of which cause prolonged illness, high fever, and severe dehydration. There is also a risk of hepatitis A, a viral infection that spreads through contaminated water and ice, affecting the liver. In some cases, chemical contamination in ice can lead to poisoning, causing nausea, digestive problems, and long-term health complications.

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