IceWatch is your tool for reporting packaged ice that is suspected to be
unsafe or mislabeled.

​Your reports help us uphold quality standards and keep communities safe by
​working with health officials to address problems.

About IceWatch

How Do These Reports Help?

When you submit a report to IPIA's IceWatch, you’re taking an important step in ensuring the safety and quality of packaged ice for everyone in your community. Here's how we use your information to make a difference:
​

1. Initial Review:
   Each report is carefully reviewed by the IPIA team to assess the details and determine the nature of the issue. Whether it’s a concern about ice quality, mislabeled packaging, or other safety concerns, we take every submission seriously.
2. Actionable Reporting:
   After reviewing your report, we compile the information and share it directly with the appropriate local or state health authorities. This ensures that professionals with jurisdiction and expertise have the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into the issue.
3. Ensuring Accountability:
   By reporting issues to health authorities, we help hold businesses accountable to the highest safety and quality standards, protecting consumers from potentially harmful or substandard ice.
4. Driving Industry Improvement:
   Your reports not only help resolve individual cases but also contribute to improving industry-wide practices. They enable the IPIA to identify trends, advocate for stricter regulations when needed, and support initiatives that prioritize consumer health and safety.

​By reporting concerns, you’re playing a vital role in ensuring that packaged ice remains a product that consumers can trust. Together, we can keep ice safe and high-quality for everyone.

What Issues Should Be Reported?

Ice is a food product, and its quality and safety are essential to protecting consumers. If you encounter any of the following issues with packaged ice in either the United States or Canada, we encourage you to report them:

1. Mislabeled Ice

• Inaccurate or misleading labeling, such as missing or incorrect weight, false claims, or incomplete product information.
• Packages that don’t include required details, such as manufacturer name and address.

2. Damaged or Tampered Packaging

• Bags that appear ripped, punctured, or improperly sealed beyond normal wear and tear.
• Signs of tampering, such as unusual tape, resealing marks, or evidence the package was opened and reclosed.
• Packaging that exposes the ice to contaminants, compromising its safety.

3. Cloudy, Discolored, or Contaminated Ice

• Ice that appears unusually cloudy, murky, or discolored, which may indicate impurities or improper freezing processes.
• Ice with visible contaminants, such as dirt, debris, or foreign particles.
• Ice with an off smell or unusual taste when consumed.

Why Does the IPIA Accreditation Seal Matter?

The IPIA Accreditation Seal is a critical symbol for both consumers and the packaged ice industry because it represents a commitment to safety, quality, and trust. Here’s why it matters:

1. Ensures Safe, Food-Grade Ice
The seal ensures that the ice you’re consuming meets strict food safety standards. IPIA members undergo rigorous inspections through the Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards (PIQCS) program, which is benchmarked against the FDA’s food safety guidelines. Ice with the seal is as safe as any other food product.
2. Protects Public Health
Without proper oversight, ice can become contaminated during production, packaging, or distribution. The seal is a sign that the ice was made under sanitary conditions, using clean water and processes that prevent contamination.
3. Identifies Trusted Producers
When consumers see the seal, they know the ice comes from an IPIA-accredited company that prioritizes quality. This distinguishes reputable ice manufacturers from those that may cut corners or fail to meet health and safety regulations.
4. Promotes Accountability
IPIA members permitted to use the accreditation seal commit to regular audits and adherence to high standards. If a product with the seal doesn’t meet expectations, the IPIA will work to address issues promptly.

Always look for the IPIA Accreditation Seal when buying packaged ice. It’s your assurance of quality, safety, and peace of mind.