Health Department Warns About Ice Contamination In Great Falls

• ***Updated to add owner's statement***
• The Cascade City-County Health Department has issued a customer advisory for ice
• You should only use the ice for cooling, not ingestion
• The ice is being made at an unlicensed facility from an unapproved source

CCHD Customer Advisory For Ice Going Into The 4th Of July Weekend

Leave it to some schmuck to dirty up our 4th of July celebrations in Cascade County. Just when America's 250th birthday hits and it's supposed to be hot, someone mucks up the ice.

The Cascade City-County Health Department has issued a customer advisory for ice made by Great Falls Ice at 2801 Bear Avenue in Great Falls.

Great Falls Ice has been distributed all over Cascade County to all kinds of vendors. The Cascade City-County Health Department is concerned that the ice could be contaminated and not fit for human consumption.

All vendors who buy Great Falls Ice have been notified of the Customer Advisory and they have pulled the product.

CCHD advises the public not to consume the ice until more information is released.

Great Falls Ice Was Caught Off Guard

From KRTV:

Buddy Ferda, owner of Great Falls Ice said he was hit with this on his biggest weekend of the year.

Ferda said one of the food grade plastic augers had some plastic come off of it.

During an inspection by Abigail Hill, the plastic was found in some of the bags and also it was discovered that Great Falls Ice, who moved into the location 2 weeks prior, didn't have a license. Hill said they are in the process of licensing with the city and CCHD. There was also construction on the premises that could add to contaminates.

As to the lack of license, Ferda said, "I'm going to plead ignorant."

Ferda, has been in the ice business since 1978. He said, "I stand by my ice. I've been doing it forever. It's city water. It a piece of plastic. I got three months to make my living."

What Is A "Customer Advisory"?

A customer advisory is basically a warning notification about a potential health risk that can be associated with a specific product or service.

What Actions Have The Cascade City-County Health Department Taken?

On July 2, 2025, the Health Department ordered Great Falls Ice to stop ice production until their licenses and inspections are up-to-date.

Here's The Kicker To The Whole Ice-Is-Contaminated Story

What's stunning to me is the reactions on this Facebook post from the Cascade City County Health Department.

The CCHD is literally doing what they're supposed to do, and people are PISSED about it. You HAVE to see these comments on this post.

Did you see the comments? It IS America. If you don't mind drinking dirty water, have at it.

(I swear to God, if someone told these people they can't eat excrement, they'd do it out of spite.)

This, my friend, is why I don't eat food from buffets and the like. Some jackwad thinks dirty water is ok. Just sayin'.

Thank you to KRTV for such good reporting.