As with drinking safely, many infectious diseases are transmitted by contaminated food. Remember the simple saying ‘Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it’. For travellers, the main health problem associated with contaminated food and water is Traveller's diarrhoea.
Wash your hands with soap and water before eating/preparing food.
Select food that has been freshly and thoroughly cooked, and is still steaming hot.
Avoid reheated cooked food or cooked food that has been kept at room temperature for several hours.
Avoid uncooked food, apart from fruit and vegetables that you can peel or shell, and avoid fruits with damaged skins. Avoid uncooked leafy vegetables (eg. salads).
Avoid dishes containing raw or undercooked eggs.
Avoid food bought from street vendors.
Avoid ice cream from unreliable sources, including street vendors.
In countries where poisonous biotoxins may be present in fish and shellfish, obtain advice locally.
(Please read the Disclaimer before using the ABC Guide to Travel Health).
