Risky vs. Safer: Food and Drink Choices while Traveling

Risky choices:

• Uncooked vegetables such as salads and salsa

• Food from street vendors

• Raw or rare meat or fish

• Raw or runny eggs

• Fountain drinks

• Tap or well water

• Flavored ice or ice pops

• Bushmeat (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

• Ice or drinks (such as juice) made with tap or well water

• Food served at room temperature (avoid buffets where food has been sitting)

Safer choices:

• Fruit and vegetables YOU have washed in clean water or peeled

• Milk and dairy products ONLY if pasteurized

• Food that is cooked and served hot

• Hot coffee or tea

• Water that you know has been disinfected (boiled, filtered, treated)

• Ice made with bottled or disinfected water

• Water, sodas, or sports drinks from a sealed can or bottle (carbonated is safer)