In the latest in our Summer Holiday Blog Series, we've put together the following tips to help your family avoid food poisoning whilst on holiday and to make sure you remember your trip for all the right reasons!
(Previous articles in the series include: Injuries & Accidents Whilst on Holiday& What To Do If You Have a Car Accident on Holiday )
Research
Our first piece of advice is to research the country you're going to and the levels of hygeine you can expect to encounter. For information about sanitation levels in the country you are travelling to, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NATHNAC).
Water & Ice
We all know this one but how many of us actually follow it? Check with the hotel, apartment owner etc if the water is safe to drink, if not drink bottled water. It’s safer when out & about to drink bottled water but ensure the seal is not broken. Even in developed countries ice can still be problematic, I remember seeing large blocks of ice being delivered to my hotel and left on the dirty pavement outside before being brought in, broken up and served in drinks that night! My advice – avoid ice.
Other Drinks:
Bottled fizzy drinks with an intact seal are usually safe, as are hot drinks made with boiled water (as temperatures above 60 centigrade kill most organisms). Beer and wine are also generally safe.
Eating Out
If I’m planning on going to a restaurant at home I check it out before I go, I check Google for reviews and ask friends for recommendations. Do the same on holiday, with internet ready phones & wifi being ever more available it’s well worth a quick search on “restaurant name & review” to make sure others haven’t suffered. If an internet search isn’t possible then ask for recommendations from people where you’re staying or have met on holiday. Failing that use common sense – does the restaurant and its staff look clean and tidy, what state are the tables and menus in? Although we often like the idea of finding that “hidden gem” of a local restaurant off the beaten track think is it worth the risk? Restaurants and eateries located in busy tourist areas often maintain high standards because they want to keep up a positive reputation for repeat business and customers.
Street Vendors
Not to be a kill joy but they are best avoided as street vendors often do not have permits and are not subject to inspection, which can result in selling food with lower quality and health standards. If you do decide to give it a try then ensure the food is prepared freshly in front of you (like a wok stir fry) and is served hot on clean crockery.
Food
Below is a summary of foods to avoid, this is a guide and if you have done your research and know a restaurant has a good reputation for keeping its customers healthy then use your judgement. It’s worth noting that some developing countries use animal waste as fertiliser, therefore certain foods, especially those growing close to the ground, are particularly prone to contamination and should be avoided.
Foods to avoid
- Salads – this can be tricky as we like to think of salads as being the healthier option on holiday but even if they have been washed they may not have been washed in clean water.
- Uncooked Fruits & Vegetables - unless they have been washed in safe water or can be peeled by you.
- Food that has be allowed to stand at room temperature in warm environments, or that has been exposed to flies, such as in an open buffet
- Unpasteurised Milk, Cheese & Ice Cream - these require a strictly controlled environment from manufacture to plate and can be a risk, especially in developing countries.
- Raw or Undercooked Shellfish or Seafood - it may not have been cooked properly and could contain contaminants from local waters. Again tricky when on holiday, especially if near the coast. Common sense can prevail, if the restaurant is known for its seafood and has a good reputation and reviews then you should be ok.
General Cleanliness
Wash your hands as often as practically possible. your body may be exposed to certain microbes that it’s never experienced before as a result of being in a new country. Washing your hands will help reduce the amount of bacteria and microbes that exist on your hands.
What To Do If You Suffer Food Poisoning on Holiday and Want to Make a Claim
Even when taking sensible precautions like these, sometimes we just can’t avoid food poisoning. It can be a scary (& costly) experience when away from home with medical fees and additional accommodation & travel costs. If you’ve suffered from serious food poisoning as a result of food consumed in a restaurant or other commercial venue whilst abroad then you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
In order to proceed with a food poisoning claim we need to know:
- The time and date the food was purchased.
- Method and evidence of payment.
- Confirmation of food purchased.
- If the food was consumed within 24 hours prior to the poisoning
- That medical advice was sort
The first three points can all be confirmed by the receipt. As with all personal injury claims it is important to seek medical advice, a doctor can confirm if what you are suffering from is food poisoning and note this on your medical records, with the date. Also remember to keep evidence of any related expenses such as receipts for medication, additional accommodation costs and / or travel expenses.
We Can Help
If you have suffered from food poisoning as the result of food consumed while abroad (at a restaurant, bar or other commercial venue) then you may be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation. Our friendly specialist advisors can talk to you about your situation and see if you have a valid compensation claim. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
If You Have a Genuine Claim, Contact a Genuine Company.
May I Claim, is a trading name of R Costings Limited and our CRM number is 25770
If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered an injury - you can trust us to handle your claim professionally.
Call us now on 0800 756 7774 and talk to us to find out if you have a claim - or fill in our Quick Claim form (on the right of this page).
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/304465/Top-Tips-on-Avoiding-Food-Poisoning-Whilst-on-Holiday
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