Last ice bags I saw have cube shapes with little gaps between them to allow the water to fill the bag. So when you rip the bag open they're already more or less seperated.
As for the taste stuff, not so much the ice container, but if it's not fully sealed it can take on the smell and taste of other things in the freezer.
Ah man. Now I'm gonna have to pull out the ol red alert 2. The only game I've played where 10 hours just disappeared. Started just after breakfast and next thing I realise, everyone in the house is fast asleep and it's pitch black outside.