Avoiding food poisoning while travelling

How can I avoid getting ill?
Exercising, eating lots of fruit and vegetables and having plenty of sleep in the weeks before travelling will do wonders to boost your immune system, helping to get rid of any germs you pick up abroad quickly.
Taking a probiotic for a few weeks beforehand is also a good idea as it lines the stomach with 'friendly' bacteria. You can buy probiotic food supplements at health food stores or just eat plenty of natural yogurts labelled as having probiotics like Yakult, Activa or Mueller. These bacterial cultures aid digestion, bolster the immune system and battle for space with 'bad' bacteria, including those that cause food poisoning.

Tips for avoiding food poisoning

• Use bottled or sterilised water, if you are concerned about the safety of the local tap water
• Avoid ice unless you are sure it was made from treated or chlorinated water
• Eat freshly and thoroughly cooked food that is still piping hot
• Avoid food that has been kept warm
• Avoid uncooked food, unless you can peel or shell it yourself
• Avoid salads, as they may have been washed in contaminated water
• Avoid ice cream from unreputable sources. These include portable ice cream sellers who may not have adequate refrigeration and ice cream that may have melted and been refrozen
• Be careful with fish and shellfish - uncooked fish is particularly hazardous

What if I become ill on holiday?
Unfortunately, once you get food poisoning there is little you can do except let it run its course. The most important thing is to avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of water - little and often. It's also a good idea to bring rehydration salts with you to keep fluid levels high.

Tablets that 'stop' diarrhoea by keeping your body from having a bowel movement don't actually solve the problem. The body needs to rid itself of the toxins so, unless it is absolutely vital, tablets should be used sparingly.

Remember that any incidence of food poisoning should be reported to your holiday rep and the hotel or restaurant that you believe may have been the source of the problem. Be aware that incubation times vary between the different forms so it may not necessarily be the food you ate the night before.

More advice and information
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Know Before You Go campaign offers practical advice for holidaymakers about the issue of food poisoning and other holiday health matters. Visit www.fco.gov.uk for more information.

The World Health Organisation's International Travel & Health website provides travellers with general information regarding travel health, vaccinations, risks and precautions. Visit www.who.int/ith/ to find out more.

If you want to find out more about your destination, www.checksafetyfirst.com carries out food hygiene audits at hotels throughout the world and offers holidaymakers free access to information on its food hygiene standards. Information on hotels that have implemented exceptionally high standards of food hygiene is posted on the website, alongside details of their facilities, contact information and star rating.