Guides
Eat well, stay well on your travels
Practical advice to avoid food poisoning abroad and to know what to do if it happens, based on the World Health Organization, the CDC, the NHS and other public health sources.
For every trip
Avoid food poisoning
Eat food that is fully cooked and served steaming hot, drink sealed or treated water, skip ice and raw produce where water may be unsafe, and wash your hands before eating. These habits lower your risk but cannot remove it, so pack oral rehydration salts and know when to see a doctor.
ReadChoosing a safe restaurant
Check for an official hygiene rating where one exists, look for food that is cooked fresh and served hot, and scan recent reviews for repeated mentions of illness or hygiene problems. No single sign proves a restaurant is safe, so combine several and choose dishes that are fully cooked.
ReadFood allergies abroad
Carry an allergy card in the local language and tell staff about your allergy every time you order, including the risk of cross-contact. If you have been prescribed adrenaline, always carry two auto-injectors and know the local emergency number. If staff cannot answer your questions clearly, eat elsewhere.
ReadFood poisoning: what to do
Most food poisoning on a trip is mild and passes within a few days. Drink plenty of fluids, ideally oral rehydration solution. Get medical help quickly for a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or more, blood in your stool, severe stomach pain, signs of dehydration, or if you cannot keep fluids down.
ReadIs street food safe?
Street food carries a higher risk of food poisoning, and some health agencies advise avoiding it. If you do eat it, choose food cooked in front of you and served steaming hot, skip raw garnishes, fresh sauces, cut fruit, and ice, and wash or sanitize your hands before eating.
ReadPregnant and traveling
You can travel and eat well while pregnant. Choose freshly cooked food served steaming hot, pasteurized dairy and bottled or boiled water. Skip raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, raw-milk soft cheeses and cold deli meats. If you get sick, drink fluids first and ask a doctor before taking any medicine.
ReadSeafood when traveling
Seafood when traveling is safest cooked through and served hot: raw oysters, sushi and ceviche can carry Vibrio, norovirus or parasites. Cooking does not prevent red tide shellfish poisoning, ciguatera from reef fish or scombroid from badly chilled fish, so follow local warnings and get help fast if numbness starts.
ReadTap water and ice
Where tap water may be unsafe, drink sealed bottled, boiled, or treated water, skip ice, and brush your teeth with safe water. Boiling it for one full minute makes it safe to drink. Check official travel health advice before you go, and if you are unsure, treat the tap as unsafe.
ReadGuides by destination
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