● Factory-sealed foods
● Fruit and vegetables that have been washed in clean water or that can be peeled
Come Prepared
While boiling water is a great way to ensure that you’re removing bacterial or parasitic contamination from drinking water, it isn’t always a feasible option for travelers. If you’re traveling to a destination with questionable water quality, you can bring along iodine or chlorine tablets that kill bacteria and viruses - but are not effective against protozoa. Camping stores also sell portable water filters that may be suitable for your needs, or you can purchase a SteriPEN ultraviolet light to treat water for bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
Ask the Locals
Even if you think the drinking water is safe at the five-star resort where you’ll be staying during your vacation, it’s always best to ask the hotel staff. Not only will they be likely to give you honest feedback (remember, they earn a large part of their wages in gratuities, and sick customers typically don’t tip well), but they also can be helpful in steering you toward safe water options and pointing out dangers that we don’t consider, like swimming in a local hot spring or hiking to a landmark waterfall, where we may inadvertently swallow some water. If you’re traveling to a country where English isn’t a common language, you may want to consider bringing along a phrase book or writing out a few notecards with useful phrases, so that even if your pronunciation isn’t the best, you can show the card to a staff member and ask for a head nod or shake (Keep in mind cultural differences. In India, for example, a head “wobble” that would look somewhat like a “no” in the United States actually indicates a “yes” or “good.”)