Eat and drink safely

Diseases from water and food are common in many countries. You can catch them from:

drinking or using contaminated water
drinking any beverage with ice cubes made with tap water
eating food washed with tap water
brushing your teeth or washing your face with tap water
eating contaminated food, including meals prepared by people who are sick, or following poor hygiene practices
taking part in activities in contaminated water, such as swimming or water sports.

Reduce your risk of diseases from food or water

If you're in a destination where diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera are common:

drink boiled, bottled or treated water
avoid drinking or using tap water to clean your teeth
avoid ice cubes - some restaurants may use water straight from the tap
only eat food that is served hot, or that you peel or cook yourself
avoid fresh salads and raw vegetables
wash or sanitise your hands often
avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with urine or stools
in some places you may need to avoid swimming or wading in any fresh water (lake, rivers, streams).

Vaccinations are recommended to prevent some food and water borne infections, such as Typhoid and Hepatitis A for visitors to countries where these infections are prevalent.