From food safety control perspective, iced drinks have potential risk. If the iced drinks are contaminated by bacteria or virus during the preparation, and further kept in improper conditions, the bacteria or virus contained can multiply and cause food poisoning in those who take the drinks.

Want to savour an iced drink, here is our advice for you:

• Buy from the right source. If you are getting a non-prepackaged drink on the street, choose from a reliable licensed shop. Never get the drinks from illegal hawkers. It is especially so while travelling overseas
• Avoid contaminated drinks. Observe the hygiene conditions of the premises, the personnel, the drink containers and utensils and make sure they are clean. Drink ingredients and ice must be properly placed and separated from other foods. If pre-made, iced drinks should be kept in covered containers and put in the upper compartment of the fridge, while uncooked food in the lower compartment
• Prevent bacterial growth. Use boiled water or distilled water for preparing drinks and for diluting drink mixes and fruit juices. Do not leave any cold drinks under room temperature for over two hours. Take it when freshly made

For your own interests, consider your health condition before consumption. Iced drinks are not suitable for infants, children, pregnant women, elderly and people with lower immunity. To cool off and stay healthy in the hot summer, you are advised to pay more attention to nutrient contents and consider a lower sugar version while enjoying iced drinks.

In addition, members of the public and trade are reminded to apply the "Five Keys to Food Safety" to prevent food poisoning. All food premises engaged in the preparation and/or sale of sashimi and sushi are subjected to licensing control.

Advice to the trade

• All sashimi and sushi sold on the premises should be kept in a refrigerator separated from other food items at a temperature between 0 °C and 4 °C
• Raw food and ready-to-eat food should be handled separately in their designated places with separate utensils

Advice to the public

• Cooking food thoroughly before consumption is an effective way to get rid of foodborne pathogens and hence prevent food poisoning
• Food eaten raw, such as sashimi, should be purchased from reliable sources. If taken away, they should be consume d as soon as possible after purchase
• The elderly, children, pregnant women and people with lowered immunity should avoid consuming raw and undercooked foods, such as sashimi and sushi