Look at the length of the queues
Look at where the locals are eating. Obviously, those with the longest queues are doing a great turnover, so the food is freshly prepared and has not been sitting in the sun. Have a quick glance at the demographics of the people in the line. If there are families you can be relatively sure that the food is safe, after all, what parent is going to feed their child bad food?
Hygienic conditions
Have a look where the vendor is cleaning his utensils and if the food is covered. Look at the oil and see if it’s clean. See that there are no food scraps lying around. If there are flies buzzing around then my advice is head for the hills.
Avoid Ice
Many ice cubes and related products like shaved ice are homemade. There is no way of knowing if the water has been filtered or not, so avoid them just to be on the safe side. If the ice cubes have a hole in the centre then they have probably come from an industrial machine. If so, you’re good to go, but it is still a risk. Even in restaurants, there is no guarantee that the ice has been made using bottled water. No matter how hot you are one little ice-cube can ruin your holiday.
Avoid dairy products
Many street vendors, especially throughout Asia and India, use condensed milk. This is not a problem as it has been treated at high temperatures to kill off harmful bacteria. Fresh dairy products, if they are not kept cool, can cause you a great number of problems, so steer clear of them.
Salads, fresh fruit and vegetables
Salads containing lettuce, cucumber and tomato should be avoided. The ingredients have probably been washed with tap water. Vegetables that have been pickled in any form are safe. In India, don’t eat fruit with skin on it, like an apple, and think that it is safe without washing it with bottled water. If you eat a banana check that the peel is intact and not damaged before you eat it.
Fried foods
Don’t be horrified if a vendor tosses a partially cooked item back into a wok of hot oil. Food that is heated to high temperatures kills bacteria, so fried food is an excellent choice if you are in any doubt. The basic rule is to eat hot, cooked food and you should be safe.
Regional food
One of the best tips was the train was filled with delicious aromas. If in doubt eat vegetarian food and when you are at the sea eat seafood. Don’t order seafood inland. It will took you about another 30 seconds to order a delicious thali (a selection of small dishes).
Rice
If rice is cooked in advance and is left around all day it has a tendency to ferment. This is probably not technically a correct word, but bacteria starts to grow quite quickly. This often happens if large quantities are made and it is not quickly consumed. Always make sure that the rice is fresh before you order it.
Freshly squeezed juice
There are stands all over India and Asia serving wonderful concoctions of exotic juice. Just make sure that the vendor presses the fruit in front of you. Stay away from fruit that has not been peeled. Don’t buy anything that has been in a jug or is served in a glass. Once again you have no idea where or how they have been washed.
Water
Always buy bottled water. Check that the seal in intact before you accept it. Some of the less unscrupulous vendors will refill bottles with tap water.
Markets
You should head for the local market to find something delicious. Not only are they a showcase for wonderful fresh seasonal produce there are almost always stalls set up to feed the hungry shoppers. You can be sure that they wouldn’t be there every day if their food was in any way suspect.
