How to Enjoy Street Food, Safely

Becoming a victim of food poisoning from street food vendors is so common. In fact, it is one of the primary reasons why travelers reach out for my expertise and services. I want to teach you how to enjoy delicious eats from street food vendors, while maintaining your health and vitality. Let’s face it, nothing is crappier than even the slightest case of food poisoning (see what I did there?).

Here is a classic recommendation for my travelers that are foodies, like me.

Boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it, or …forget it!

In fact, this advice has been around for decades and still, we fall victim to food poisoning. So, let’s break it down and prepare you for your next adventure!

1. Boil It: Generally speaking, most microbes are eliminated when the environment they are in gets to a boiling temperature. This means, if you see a local street vendor offering up delicious, piping hot coffee or soup - enjoy it!
2. Peel It: Microbes can get into the crevices of many fruits and vegetables, and a peel is Mother Nature’s safety mechanism for us. If you’re able to peel the skin off the fruit and/or vegetable, you’re likely going to be safe after enjoying it. Picture this - the thick skin of an orange protects the fruit you will consume, which is much safer than the intricate crevices of raspberries.
3. Cook It: Similar to boiling, the heat from cooking eliminates most microbes. If you’re choosing between cooked beef versus beef tartare, you will be safer choosing the cooked option. Most methods of cooking are accepter able here, including grilling and roasting.
4. Wash It: Farmer’s Markets are the common place is most parts of the world, even in metropolitan cities. Many travelers revel in finding their favorite produce abroad. Remember to wash your produce well, and not with the tap water, but with bottled water. Often times, tap water contains contaminants.
5. Forget It: Although this is the least favorable advice, it’s important to be prudent. There is a thrill and sometimes lowered inhibitions when traveling abroad. But, it’s important to remember that our health, wellbeing, and safety are of utmost important and sometimes that means politely saying no thank you and moving on to the next delicious adventure.

Enjoy street food safely by taking precautions.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “an ounce of prevention prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Cheers to Your Health & Happiness,

Dr. Mona Ligvani, PharmD, APh