Abstract:
The sanitary conditions in accordance with GMP regulations, bacteriological quality
of ice and processing water in 20 Block Ice plants and 20 Tube Ice plants located in Bangkok
Metropolitan were studied for this analytical survey research. Modified inspection form from
Office of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health (GMP inspection form)
was used for ice plantssanitary conditions survey. In addition, observation and interviewing
were used for supplement information. Ice and processing water samples were collected 2
times per plant with 3 samples each time. All samples were analyzed for bacteriological
quality in terms of Total bacteria, Total coliform bacteria and Fecal coliform bacteria by
means of Standard Plate Count technique (Pour plate method) and Most Probable Number
technique (MPN method), respectively. Furthermore, the correlation between ice plant
sanitary conditions and bacteriological quality of ice, and the difference of bacteriological
quality of ice between Block Ice plant and Tube Ice plant were also investigated.
It was found that 14 Block Ice plants (70%) failed and 6 Block Ice plants (30%)
passed sanitary conditions criteria. Meanwhile, 8 Tube Ice plants (40%) failed and 12 Tube Ice
plants (60%) passed sanitary conditions criteria. For the bacteriological quality of ice, there
were 65% (n =120) and 23.3% (n = 120) of Block Ice and Tube Ice samples accepted in the
standard permission level in terms of Total coliform bacteria and Fecal coliform bacteria.
Additionally, all Tube Ice plant processing water samples were accepted in the standard
permission level in terms of Total coliform bacteria and Fecal coliform bacteria. Meanwhile,
only one Block Ice plant was unaccepted. Furthermore, Ice plant sanitary conditions were
significantly related to bacteriological quality Ice (p-value<0.05) for both types of Ice plants,
and there was difference in bacteriological quality of ice between Block Ice plant and Tube Ice
plant (p-value<0.05).
This study suggested that Ice plant manufacturers should develop and implement
Sanitary Standard and Operational Procedures (S.S.O.P.) in accordance with all GMP
requirements to improve ice plant sanitary conditions especially cleaning and maintenance
measures and workers hygiene improvement. Improvement of general knowledge of ice
manufacturing process and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) training for ice plants workers was
also suggested.