Food poisoning risks during all-inclusive holidays and how to avoid getting sick

Food poisoning risks during all-inclusive holidays and how to avoid getting sick

If you are going on an all-inclusive holiday, there are some things that you will want to remember. An expert has revealed that whilst an all-inclusive sounds great, it can come with some risks. And if you are going on one, or know someone who is, there are a few things you need to know before you get to your hotel.

According to Grant Winter, compliance officer at specialist travel insurance provider, Good to Go, food and drink, particularly in developing countries, can harbour germs and diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. More commonly, travellers can suffer from vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting contaminated food or drink. To help travellers avoid this and have more time to enjoy their holiday, Winter is sharing what people need to do as well as what they need to avoid so they are not lying in bed during what is meant to be a relaxing week.

Grant advises that people should drink bottled water as it is always the safest option abroad – even if the internet says that the local tap water is safe. He stresses: “Ensure the lid of the bottle is well sealed before you drink it. If you can’t get access to bottled water for whatever reason, only drink tap water that has been boiled, use chlorine tablets or iodine to sterilise the water. Always be sure to avoid prolonged exposure to iodine though – this method isn’t best when doing it more than once or twice.”

When it comes to food, Grant says to avoid eating cooked food that has been left around for too long. You should always aim to get to the all-inclusive buffet earlier rather than later to avoid being left with the food which has been outside for longer. “It’s also better to avoid food that has flies buzzing around it, and only eat raw fruit and vegetables that you have peeled yourself to reduce the risk of contamination,” he says.

While you should be cautious about water, ice is another issue. Grant explains: “Don’t forget about the risk of ice cubes in your drinks. In many cases, these are probably made from untreated tap water, which can cause you to get sick.”

Grant shares: “Regardless of where you’re eating, you should always check to see if the food is piping hot throughout before eating, but when abroad, you should be extra vigilant of this. For example, eating tropical fish that haven’t been cooked properly can lead to ciguatera fish poisoning, and unpasteurised dairy such as ice cream from a street vendor could harbour salmonella, E. coli, listeria, or campylobacter, leading to food poisoning.”

Finally, Grant emphasises the importance of personal hygiene. He says: “Whilst it may sound obvious, personal hygiene should be a number 1 priority abroad to help avoid food poisoning and contamination. Always wash your hands after the toilet and before eating or preparing food, and make sure you take an alcohol-based hand gel to use when you’re out and about before eating any food.”