The Most Important Advice

Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet. Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of travellers' diarrhoea.

General Advice

• Choose freshly prepared food that is served hot.
• Avoid food that has been left standing at room temperature for long periods.
• Choose busy restaurants and food outlets where food is prepared and served frequently.
• Drink bottled water or other drinks from a reliable source.
• Use safe or bottled water for brushing your teeth if the quality of the local water is uncertain.
• Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics for mild diarrhoea.

Drinks

Commercially bottled water and soft drinks, as well as hot coffee and tea, are generally safe choices. Check that bottles are properly sealed before opening.

Freshly prepared juice may be a safer choice when you can see how it is made, but be aware that juice and other drinks may sometimes be diluted with local water.

Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit that you peel yourself is generally a safer choice. Vegetables should preferably be thoroughly cooked or carefully washed using safe water.

Meat, Fish and Seafood

• Meat and fish should be thoroughly cooked.
• Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish.
• Take particular care with raw fish and seafood in areas where food hygiene and food safety standards may be inadequate.

Dairy Products and Eggs

• Milk should be pasteurised or boiled.
• Yoghurt is generally safe when made from pasteurised milk.
• Eggs should be thoroughly cooked.
• Take care with foods containing raw or undercooked eggs, including some mayonnaise-based dishes.

Ice Cream and Ice

Commercially packaged ice cream from reputable manufacturers is generally a safer choice. Ice may be made from unsafe water and can therefore sometimes be a source of infection.

If You Prepare Your Own Food

If the safety of the local water supply is uncertain, water should be boiled, appropriately filtered or disinfected before use. Fruit and vegetables that will not be peeled should be washed thoroughly using safe water before eating.