Mayonnaise-laden salads pose a potential hazard for vacationers
Travelers urged to be cautious with certain foods to avoid food poisoning
As the excitement of travel builds, it's essential to remember that food safety should be a priority. When venturing to new destinations, tourists should be mindful of the foods they consume to prevent potential foodborne illnesses.
According to seasoned travelers, dishes made from minced meat with heavy spices, such as meatballs, should be avoided due to the risk of food spoilage. The use of additives in these dishes can mask the smell of spoilage, making them potentially dangerous to consume. Instead, opting for whole pieces of meat like steaks, chicken wings, or drumsticks is recommended.
When it comes to seafood, travelers should steer clear of raw or undercooked fish, shellfish, and seafood tartares, carpaccios. These dishes, if not properly cooked, can lead to foodborne illnesses. It's also advisable to avoid raw or partially cooked eggs and dishes that may contain them, such as cookie dough or homemade ice cream.
Buffet-style meals can also pose a risk, as dishes may have been exposed to contamination from insects, dust, or improper handling. Raw sprouts, unpasteurized juices, ciders, milk, and dairy products, including soft cheeses like feta, brie, Camembert, should be avoided. Cold cuts like pates, hot dogs, luncheon meats if not thoroughly cooked should also be avoided.
Cut or raw fruits from street vendors should be avoided due to possible contamination. It's safer to stick to freshly cooked, steaming hot meals at hygienic places.
Roadside cafes may not always maintain proper food handling and storage practices, increasing the risk of food poisoning. Fried meat pies are best avoided due to questionable contents. Mayonnaise-based salads should be avoided while traveling due to potential spoilage.
Many tourists may experience food poisoning while dining at roadside cafes during travel. To mitigate this risk, it's recommended to avoid soups, especially solyanka, due to being cooked in large pots and potentially sitting for long periods with no customers.
Vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, elderly, and immunocompromised travelers need to be extra cautious with these high-risk foods. Additional precautions include avoiding alfresco dining where handwashing facilities are inadequate and ensuring food is served hot as heating kills most harmful bacteria.
A recent salmonella outbreak among tourists in Spain was linked to fish and spinach-filled pasta dishes at a buffet, emphasizing the risks associated with seafood and pasta when hygiene or proper cooking is compromised.
By being aware of these potential risks and taking necessary precautions, travelers can enjoy their culinary adventures without the worry of falling ill.
When venturing to new destinations, tourists should not only savor local food-and-drink offerings but also be cautious with certain dishes to prevent food poisoning. For instance, dishes made with minced meat, seafood tartares, carbonara, raw eggs, and mayonnaise-based salads should be avoided. Additionally, buffet-style meals, roadside cafes, and cut or raw fruits from street vendors can pose a risk, so it's advisable to opt for freshly cooked, steaming hot meals at hygienic places.
