Jerry Hancock 801-319-7859 Jerry.hancock@subzeroicecream.com
FDA Alert – Why Franchise systems are safe
Sub Zero Ice Cream is a store that has been using liquid nitrogen since 2005 making ice cream made to order in front of the customer with Zero incidents. Now with 60 stores across the country and more to come.
The phrase “at Point of Sale” is undefined. We make the ice cream in front of the customer that is prepared behind the counter and shielded. We believe the words “At Point of Sale” should be changed to something more descriptive or similar to the last paragraph where it states that all LN2 is evaporated before handing to the customer.
Who is Sub Zero and how does it work?
Our process:
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Cream or Pre mix goes in a clean bowl.
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Flavors and addons are included.
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LN2 is showered with a nozzle into the bowl.
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Mixing by hand until completely frozen to about -30 to -40F which is the temperature Dip N Dots stores their product. The ice cream gets no colder.
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We put the bowl into a second bowl with warm water that tempers the ice cream to a nice hard pack consistency.
Is Nitrogen Hazardous?
Yes under certain conditions. But everything has a hazard even water at certain conditions. Air can be hazardous at certain conditions. So it’s important to keep in context the condition of whatever we are talking about. We see this in the context of the hurricanes and other examples.
Nitrogen can be safe under certain conditions. The Number One Rule we have is No LIQUID Nitrogen is ever in the control of the customer. This is where others have gone wrong. Anything that we have ever done has had strict controls and all product would have all LN2 evaporated before handing to the customer.
Why should you choose Franchising vs Mom Pop Shop?
Sub Zero Ice Cream started in 2005 by a chemist and his wife, an educator. From the beginning, safety was a focus for the employees and the customers. They chose to expand using the franchise model rather than licensing because of the control a Franchise has on the operations of the local store. One of the sales pitches to the vendors has always been the trust of having that control that franchising offers. We have a safety record that can only come by conscious effort. We have worked with Osha asking for voluntary consultation on a regular basis. We consult with Cryogenic Safety engineers to minimize any risk possible.
Sub Zero is the pioneer in the use of Liquid Nitrogen in the retail food space. This has had its challenges meeting the different regulations and getting the trust of the major vendors of LN2 over time. We sought a patent that was awarded in 2014 in order the protect the process and keep it solely as a franchise model for the reasons described above. We have only control over our franchise stores. Our biggest threat would be the independent non-franchise stores that are more haphazard to safety. This is what we believe has happened with the current controversy.
Our business is safe for the customer and the employees but there are bad actors that are not as safe.
What are the vapors that create the fog effect?
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We breathe in 78% Nitrogen and breathe out 78% Nitrogen
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We breath in 21% oxygen and exhale 15 to 18% oxygen and 4 to 5% carbon dioxide.
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THE FOG EFFECT YOU SEE IS 100% exhaled water similar to what happens when you see your breath in winter.
Is Dragons Breath Safe?
Yes, Under certain conditions. If all of the LN2 has evaporated. Bad actors do not ensure the nitrogen has been evaporated.
Science Presentations and Risks
We have a science curriculum that we offer schools. One of the ways we introduce Nitrogen is by reading the Material Safety Data Sheet and discussing the risks: (Compare the risks / MSDS of LN2 to H2O and CO2) Several people have died in CO2 accidents in restaurants. FireEngineering.com
Risks:
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Pressure
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Industry typically uses Nitrogen at high pressure between 400 psi to 3000 psi to get the gas. We, however, have our tanks set at 30 psi or less. At the counter, the diffusers get the pressure to zero.
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Our tanks have pressure relief valves that ensure a low pressure and vent to the outside.
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Depletion of Oxygen
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Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe with Oxygen being 21%. If oxygen is depleted, it is typically severe and in confined spaces. We use larger spaces with fresh air input and safety monitors to ensure we are always safe. Levels of Oxygen to consider are in an AirGas safety gram. There is another study showing that of the atmospheric gasses that Nitrogen is the least hazardous. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542038
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Frostbite
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Low temperature that can cause tissue damage. A Dr. induces frostbite to remove warts or skin cancer. Due to the Leidenfrost Effect frostbite will not occur unless there is also pressure to overcome the effect. So with the use of LN2 at 0 pressure it simply propels away from skin on contact.
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Ingestion
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All liquids expand by about 600 times when they turn from a liquid to a gas with physical change. I tell the kids LN2 expands by 696 times its liquid volume. So kids will always ask what happens when you drink it. I respond by asking them how much does it expand? They get it pretty quickly. WE DON’T GIVE CUSTOMERS LN2!!! There is no way for ingestion of LN2 in our stores.
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The bad actors don’t account for safety. It makes a cool effect on a drink but should not be consumed.