A yummy scoop of ice-cream may be the best way to beat the heat. But some unpalatable facts about the standards being adhered to by ice- cream makers may raise dollops of doubts about the frozen delight. According to a recent study by Consumer Education and Research Society (cers), Ahmedabad, germs such as E.coli, coliform, total solids and even pesticide residues are present in the ice-creams that tempt our taste buds. Microbial contamination indicates poor sanitary practices or improper transport and storage, the survey points out. Four brands and four loose samples of ice-cream were tested on 14 parameters to check out their quality. Only two national brands were found to conform to all Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Bureau of Indian Standards (bis) norms.