When I run a kitchen, the ice scoop is kept in a 1/3 pan with bleach water (50PPM) in it.
Doesn't go back, or you reach in with your hands, or a glass? Fired.
Walk into the kitchen and don't first go to the sink and wash? Fired.
Ice machines are dangerous. They are a prime place to grow bacteria.
When I was in a military kitchen, they got emptied and bleached regularly. I couldn't fire anyone... but I could make life miserable.
If I see an ice scoop on top of an ice machine, I won't eat at a restaurant.
I'm a jerk about it, but 20% of a deployment ineffective or degraded with a preventable stomach bug just doesn't suck, it can get you killed.
In the military, in the field, we had daily health inspections by the medical officers. In the commercial world, when I run a kitchen, I do the same inspection.
Some folks love me, some folks hate me. Most don't know and don't care.
/johnny
I just checked the manual that came with my new fridge...no where does it recommend that the ice maker be cleaned periodically. Heh.