An ice bagger (10) comprises an ice maker (11, 12), an ice bagging unit (13) which includes an automatic sanitation system (120) and a merchandiser (14). The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper (15, 16) housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit (13) includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag carrier (39) from a bag supply (24) and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute (19) communicating with the hopper via an auger (18). A scale (65) supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. A heating element (99) then activates to seal the bag closed. Once the bag has been closed, the scale pivots to deliver the sealed bag of ice into the merchandiser while the sealer arm raises to its original position. Additionally, the ice bagger further comprises a sanitizing system (120) which periodically activates to sanitize the hopper.