Question for the well traveled: Where did the food make you sickest?

[Anonymous]

Most violent - India (water)
Longest lasting - Chile (mussels)

But I've traveled to both these countries maybe a factor of 10 times more than anywhere else I've ever been...so they are statistically the most likely places for me to have gotten sick.

India has gotten much better lately, with the advent of RO filters everywhere. When I got sick that one awful time, it was because I mistakenly drank water that was not boiled. I never eat uncooked food (i.e. cut fruit, salad) or sauces of any variety except at my relatives' houses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've spent years in Delhi and months at a time in Peru and I've only gotten a stomach bug once, in Mumbai, and it really wasn't that bad - no vomiting, just some trouble with digestion. In fact, I think the only time I got proper food poisoning was at Yosemite National Park back in the 90s -- so, there you go.

That said, there's a reason so many Indians AND Peruvians think home-cooked food is healthiest, and will scold you for eating too much at restaurants.

What do the restaurant workers do differently at work than when they're at home? This makes no sense.

I haven't been myself, but the folks I know who have been to Peru, got sick as a dog while there. One guy passed da fuq out and barely remembers anything. He said the locals made him drink some kind of tea concoction to get better. That's intense.

Um, even in the US you might be a little appalled at food prep standards at restaurants vs. home. This is well-documented. There are many people who would never touch a salad in a restaurant for this reason.

But yes, we rarely eat at restaurants when I'm in India fo rthis reason. And when we do, I'm pretty strict about not touching anything uncooked.

[Anonymous]

United flight

[Anonymous]

I didn't get sick on my trip to India and would like to go again, to visit the south this time. I've travelled a lot, including to many poor or undeveloped areas and am pretty careful and have rarely ever gotten sick on my travels. I would say that in addition to being careful of where you eat, drinking bottled water, etc, that maybe some people are not aware that their own hygiene may be contributing to their getting sick. In India, I washed my hands and used hand sanitizer frequently when not near a restroom. Even if you're not eating, you touch your face, eyes and mouth unconsciously many times a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vegas - food poisoning from Chipotle that sent me to the ER

No issues in India, Europe, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, etc, but I will never eat at Chipotle again.

There has been a direct correlation between illegals working in the restaurant industry and food poisoning.

That outbreak in Chipolte was found to be from employees who don't remove their food-serving gloves when they use the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Ugh this reminds me of this documentary I recently saw where street vendors in china were dredging some kind of oil out of the sewers to use as cooking oil. Gag.

[Anonymous]

Might also be a good idea to avoid seafood, since that seems to be the bulk of the issues here, outside of water issues?

[Anonymous]

I always wonder why Anthony Bourdain is still alive. Maybe he is immune by now.

[Anonymous]

Do you think that people from other countries get sick in the US if they drink the water, etc.?

I wonder this because my stomach gets upset often when I travel within the US. Maybe the water is different in parts of the US.

[Anonymous]

Peru.

Been to India multiple times and rarely got sick. Took me months to get over whatever Peru gave me.

[Anonymous]

The Dominican Republic. DH threw up for well over a week after we returned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That said, there's a reason so many Indians AND Peruvians think home-cooked food is healthiest, and will scold you for eating too much at restaurants.

That is really interesting observation. Do they get sick from restaurant food as well or do they think that the cooking standards are not the same as at home?

Well, if it's home cooked food, you probably know the vendors you're getting your vegetables and meat from. You are in full control of how it's stored and prepared. You know it was cleaned in safe water and cooked thoroughly and recently.

Same reason, really, that most Americans who've gotten food poisoning here in the USA can usually trace it back to a restaurant or wedding/catered meal, rather than a dish they made themselves in their own kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've spent years in Delhi and months at a time in Peru and I've only gotten a stomach bug once, in Mumbai, and it really wasn't that bad - no vomiting, just some trouble with digestion. In fact, I think the only time I got proper food poisoning was at Yosemite National Park back in the 90s -- so, there you go.

That said, there's a reason so many Indians AND Peruvians think home-cooked food is healthiest, and will scold you for eating too much at restaurants.

DH got food poisoning in the 90s in Yosemite too! At the Ahwanee Lodge.

[Anonymous]

Rwanda and Mexico. In Mexico, it was from food at a five-star business hotel in Mexico City.

[Anonymous]

Seattle, WA.
Dangerous crabs or whether dungeness crabs