Contaminated food and water is the leading source of illness and diarrhea
that occurs during travel. Fortunately, there are some choices you can make to
reduce your chance of becoming ill. Here are some suggestions:
Food selection
Ask the concierge at your hotel or on your cruise ship for recommendations for well-established, reliable dining locations.
International hotels and better restaurants that normally cater to travelers in
big cities are generally a safer option when dining out. Yet, careful, informed
choices remains important everywhere
When selecting foods, know that foods and beverages served steaming hot are
considered safe. Street vendors should be avoided. Order all meat and seafood well done. Beware of anything cold,
especially meat, even if it has been cooked. The following chart provides a
short list of food products considered safe as well as foods to avoid.
Foods Considered Safe | Foods to Avoid |
Hot coffee, tea, and soup (if served steaming) | Tap water and ice |
Any food served steaming | Fresh salads and leafy green vegetables |
Undiluted fresh grapefruit or orange juice | Desserts, especially those containing custard, cream, or whipped
cream |
Bottled/canned noncarbonated water | Fresh cheese |
Bottled/canned carbonated beverages: soft drinks, beer, or mineral
water | Cold meats and foods, including previously boiled seafood |
Packaged butter | Reheated foods |
Packaged processed cheese | Spicy sauces in open containers on tables |
Dry bread | Milk and other dairy products from questionable sources |
| Any food product from a street vendor that you have not seen boiling
for at least 5 minutes |
| Fruit that has been peeled by someone else |
Water and ice
Bottled or canned beverages are usually considered safe, especially if
carbonated. Beverages that are boiled, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, are
also considered safe. Before opening a bottled or canned beverage, be sure to
wipe the container opening and drinking edge with a clean tissue. It is wise to
use clean straws for drinking cold beverages. Experienced travelers often bring
their own supply.
To err on the side of caution, it’s wise to never drink tap water or use it
for tooth brushing. Also, do not open or rinse your mouth when showering. Placing a towel in the sink in your room helps to remind you
not to use the tap water and instead use bottled water.
Don’t forget about ice. Ice should be considered contaminated. This
includes ice on board airlines when traveling back home.
References
- Centers for Disease Control. Food and Water Precautions.
wwwnc.cdc.gov/. Accessed December 19, 2011.
- UpToDate. Patient information: General travel advice.
www.uptodate.com/.
Accessed December 19, 2011.