Why does CDC say to avoid ice in places with unsafe tap water?

Ice may come from unclean water.

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  1. It may be made from unclean water ✔
  2. It is too cold
  3. It waters down drinks

Why: Ice is usually made from local tap water. Freezing does not make unsafe water safe. Choose sealed drinks and skip the ice.

Huh, didn't know that: CDC says ice pops are fine if you made them yourself from washed or peeled fruit and treated water.

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Why did the ice cube stay home? It was afraid of getting into hot water!
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References

Answer: It may be made from unclean water. Ice is usually made from local tap water. Freezing does not make unsafe water safe. Choose sealed drinks and skip the ice.

  1. CDC Travelers' Health: Travelers' Diarrhea wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea
    avoid ice because it may have been made from unclean water
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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