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Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a running stomach. It’s easy to get such complications if you consume contaminated food and water. While carrying your supplies might sound good, remember that sampling new dishes as you travel enriches your adventure. 

So, how do you ensure that you indulge without getting food poisoning? Here are food and water safety tips for travelers.

A. Avoid buffet, unless the food is prepared as you watch

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cooked food that stays for too long at room temperature is a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. As a tourist, you cannot tell how long those dishes have remained at the buffet table.

So according to food safety USDA tips, you should only consume hot food. What if you want to sample some street food? Nobody can deny that the street food industry is booming in places like India and the UK. In such cases, make sure that the food is cooked thoroughly while you watch. Then eat it hot!

B. For canned food, choose reputable brands

One of the rules in all food and water safety tips for travelers blogs; is ensure that the packed food container seals are not broken. However, in today’s world, illegal vendors have also learned the art of packaging dry and canned foods.

Nevertheless, in every country, there are reputable brands that produce safe food. Thus, apart from checking the seal and moisture content, you need to do a quick research on the company that has made that tuna.

C. Safe water

How can you tell that the water you are drinking is safe? Is tap water safe to drink? Travelers are discouraged from consuming tap water or using it to brush teeth. Kindly consider the following drinking water safety tips.

1. Buy carbonated water from a trustworthy company. Remember to check the seal.

2. If such an option is unavailable, consider boiling your drinking water.

3. If you suspect that the water contains acid particles, treat it before consumption. There are several ways to produce alkaline water.

4. You can also carry a simple water treatment kit. There are many simple drinking water purification methods on the internet.

D. Other drinks and beverages

Although the content in this article focuses on food and water safety tips for travelers, it’s impossible to leave out safety tips for other drinks and beverages. For instance, you can’t go to Japanese and fail to participate in a Japan tea ceremony.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to boil any beverage they drink. If that’s not possible, then ensure that whatever drink you order is served steaming hot.

Also, go for carbonated sodas and beers and avoid putting ice in them. Under no circumstances, should you sample local brews that are not packaged and sealed by trustworthy companies.

Conclusion

If you get sick even after following the food and water safety tips for travelers discussed above, don’t panic. There could be other underlying issues in your body. In that case, stay hydrated and contact your embassy immediately. It’s also advisable that you get health and travel insurance from your travel agency before your trip.