Better not to eat: You should avoid these 9 foods on vacation

Not everything that you can safely eat at home is also risk-free on vacation. We list a few food groups that you should be careful about when abroad.

On vacation we not only want to see the culture of a country, but also taste it. But be careful: some foods can quickly become a health risk abroad.

Here are foods you should avoid on vacation.

1. Raw seafood and fish

Although fresh oysters can be tempting, they aren’t always a good choice on vacation. The consumer advice center warns that raw mussels are often contaminated with hepatitis A viruses or other pathogens, especially in the Mediterranean or Atlantic regions. Therefore, only consume seafood when it is well cooked.

The Tropical Institute points out that there are not only edible fish species, but also poisonous ones. That’s why you should only eat fish you’ve caught yourself if you’re 100 percent sure what it is.

2. Raw meat

Raw meat, such as carpaccio or tartare, also poses a significant risk of food poisoning. Pathogens such as salmonella, trichinella or dangerous parasites can hide in raw meat. You should also avoid undercooked dishes – well-cooked meat is a safer choice.

3. Raw vegetable salads

Salads often do not contain any animal products and are healthy – but are therefore far from a safe choice on vacation. In many countries, salads are washed with tap water, which may be contaminated with bacteria or parasites. According to the consumer advice center, this affects many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Therefore, avoid raw food dishes in restaurants or street stalls and instead choose boiled, fried or simmered dishes. If you want to prepare a salad or other raw food while on vacation, wash it thoroughly with purified water.

4. Unwashed fruit

You should always wash fruit thoroughly when abroad and, ideally, peel it. It is best to use packaged drinking water if tap water is not safe – see point eight. The consumer advice center recommends avoiding pre-cut fruit on the side of the road – germs quickly accumulate here and can cause stomach problems.

5. Buffets with cool dishes

According to the consumer advice center, buffets that are left uncooled for several hours in warmer climates are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Cold foods such as salads or desserts, which spoil easily, are particularly risky.

To be on the safe side, opt for freshly prepared, hot dishes.

6. Raw eggs and products made from them (including ice cream!)

You should avoid foods that contain raw eggs, such as mayonnaise or some desserts. Otherwise, any salmonella present in the eggs could make you sick. Pasteurized products are a safer alternative.

While you can usually eat industrially packaged ice cream without hesitation even in travel destinations, you should take a closer look at ice cream parlors: Does the ice cream contain raw eggs? If so: Only buy there once you are sure that the hygiene during production is impeccable.

7. Freshly squeezed fruit juices

According to the consumer advice center, there is no risk with industrially packaged juices – or other drinks.

However, with freshly squeezed juices, you should first check whether the fruit presses, containers and hands of the sellers are clean. Otherwise pathogens could get into the juice.

8. Tap water and ice cubes

Even though tap water is declared “potable” in many countries, you should be careful. This affects many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Avoid drinking water straight from the tap or brushing your teeth with it. The consumer advice center recommends: Use bottled drinking water instead or boil the water for at least five minutes to kill pathogens. Then you should filter it.

The Tropical Institute names other options: You can clean tap water with special disinfectant tablets. Tea and coffee freshly made with boiling water are usually harmless. Beer and wine are also not a problem. However, the institute also warns against drinks that are too cold in hot weather, as the stomach can react sensitively to them. You can find further information here: What helps better in the heat: cold or warm drinks?

In warm countries, ice cubes are often made from tap water, which does not meet the same hygienic standards as in Germany. If these melt in the drink, there is also a risk here. You can find out more about this here:

9. Raw milk and unpasteurized products from it

Unpasteurized milk and products made from it – such as raw milk cheese – can contain dangerous pathogens such as listeria. Avoid these products and opt for pasteurized dairy products instead.

By the way: You should adhere to all of these points even in a hygienically safe country if you are pregnant: What are pregnant women not allowed to eat?

Read more on Techzle\.com:

• Eating in the heat: 8 mistakes to avoid
• Bag salad: What you should consider when buying salad from a bag
• Staycation: 6 tips for a sustainable vacation at home

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