Food safety on holiday

Common type of food poisoning
What are the causes of food poisoning?
What precautions can I take?
Tips for safe eating and drinking
How to treat diarrhoea
Further information

Do not let unsafe food ruin your holiday. A few simple rules should help you avoid discomfort and pain. If you are a food handler about to travel overseas you will also find these notes useful .

(This page has been produced using the Department of Health's "Guide on Safe Food to Travellers", and the World Health Organisation's "Advice for Travellers.)

Common type of food poisoning

"Travellers diarrhoea" is a gastrointestinal disease which frequently contracted on holiday.

The risks are especially increased when travelling abroad, especially to less well developed countries, where basic facilities (water/sewerage/refuse disposal) are either not available or provided on a much reduced basis  and where standards may be far lower than at home.

Prevention is the first approach to the control of gastrointestinal infection and food poisoning.

Tourists need to be aware of the risks to health and to take care. In some situations water and food can present a problem.

If you are travelling outside Northern Europe, North America, and Australasia it may be advisable to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The virus can be transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water.

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What are the causes of food poisoning?

• Exposure to new germs in food and water to which the local population are immune.
• Poor local sanitation.
• Poor kitchen hygiene and poor personal hygiene.
• Increased risk of infection due to hot weather and flies.
• Increased eating out in catering establishments.
• Greater concentrations of people using limited facilities.
• Greater intake of different animal proteins.

What precautions can I take?

Before going on holiday ask your doctor for advice, especially the need for vaccinations or other preventative measures.

Consider taking out medical insurance.

For travel outside the European Union, or where treated mains water is not available, pack water disinfection tablets. These are available in pharmacies and travel/camping shops.

Take a medical kit containing oral rehydration salts if you are travelling to remote areas or less well developed countries,  particularly if you are taking children.

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Tips for safe eating and drinking

Personal hygiene is vital. Wash hands after going to the lavatory, always before and after eating and handling food, or handling animals. This is particularly important if you are camping or caravanning.

If possible, check that the water you use is safe. If in doubt do not drink, clean teeth, wash salads or make ice from it until it has been boiled for at least 15 minutes. Alternatively use chemical tablets to disinfect the water, or use bottled water from a reputable supplier. Carbonated water is safer still. Check that the cap or stopper are properly sealed.

Remember - pure water is just as important for food preparation as for drinking.

Be especially careful with any water used to prepare an infant's meal. Always use water which has been boiled or is still bottled water.

Avoid ice unless you are sure that it is made from safe water and has not been contaminated by other peoples' hands, pests, or equipment.

Beverages such as hot tea, coffee, wine, beer, carbonated soft drinks or fruit juices are usually safe to drink. Remember to check package seals.

If possible choose items that have been freshly prepared.

Food freshly cooked is usually safe. Eating cooked food that has been held at room temperature for more than 90 minutes constitutes one of the greater risks of food borne disease.

Make sure your food has been cooked through and is still hot when served.

Avoid any uncooked food apart from fruits and vegetables that can be peeled or shelled.

Avoid fruits with damaged skins.

Avoid food which has been exposed to flies.

Fish and shellfish may be suspect in some countries. If in doubt do not eat it.

Ice-cream from unreliable sources may be contaminated and cause illness. If in doubt avoid it.

Avoid unpasteurised milk, cheese, and yoghurts.  Milk may be boiled.

Do not fill water containers from hose pipes.

Remember that water used for recreational purposes (such as swimming) is often contaminated.

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How to treat diarrhoea

Most diarrhoeal attacks are self limiting and clear up in a few days. The important thing is to avoid dehydration. This is particularly important for the elderly and young. As soon as diarrhoea starts drink plenty of clean water ( as described above). If diarrhoea continues for more than one day take oral rehydration salts. Or, mix 6 level teaspoons of sugar plus one level teaspoon of salt to one litre of clean water and drink this. Eat a little light food. Avoid proprietary medicines and antibiotics.

If your symptoms persist on returning to the UK tell your general practitioner. Tell him/her that you have been abroad.

If you are a food handler the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 require you to tell your employer of any incident of food poisoning or gastrointestinal illness before returning to work on the advice of your doctor.

Further information

Contact your travel agent or travel company for further information. You might also get information from local public libraries, doctors' surgeries, or public information points, such as town halls.