Machu Picchu Travel
General information

Food Safety Tips when Travelling to Peru

Food Safety Tips when Travelling to Peru

When traveling to a foreign country, what travelers expect is to try delicious local meals waiting for them. However, when traveling abroad, the chances of getting food poisoning increase.

A simple knowledge of food safety, along with taking some measures, will make things easier to enjoy Peru and its food. So, this article will show you how to care for your health when in Peru, so you can enjoy the best of our cuisine with no problem.

What is food safety?

Food safety is the proper handling, preparation, and storage of food. It reduces the risk of people becoming unwell from foodborne illnesses. Food safety is a worldwide concern that affects many aspects of daily life. 

Travelers Sickness

Sometimes referred to as "traveler's diarrhea", it is the most prevalent type of food poisoning among foreign tourists. This sickness may affect almost 70% of travelers.

Travelers’ sickness symptoms may appear between 8 and 24 hours after a contaminated food or drink consumption. People may experience loss,  diarrhea, cramps, and stomach pain. 

Symptoms of traveler's diarrhea include nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms are often moderate and resolve on their own, but severe cases are possible and can result in severe dehydration. This condition may require antibiotics for treatment. Viagens Machu Picchu recommends that all our passengers get travel insurance as a precaution.

Why is food security important for travelers? 

They are exposed to unfamiliar foods and beverages while traveling. This raises the chance of sickness. Furthermore, a bad eating experience can ruin their vacation.

In Peru, a famous tourist destination, ensuring food security is crucial. The country continues to welcome tourists, which drives its economic development. Food and beverage enterprises must provide quality products and services. This ensures a pleasant experience for visitors.

What is the current food safety situation in Peru?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says that more than half of the Peruvian population experiences food insecurity, suggesting insufficient food availability. The high cost of food worsens the situation, and national food production is unstable.

What You Can Do

Hygiene is important

When traveling to Peru or abroad, one must have good hygiene habits. Before eating, make sure to wash your hands with soap and clean water, and use antibacterial or wipes to ensure your hands are clean before you eat. Avoid using dirty water to brush your teeth.

Tips for Drinking Liquids Safely

Avoid tap water, in Peru it's not recommended to drink it. Stick to bottled water, double-check that there is a seal on bottled water and that it comes from a trusted source. If you’re bringing your own bottle, use purified water, as modern water purifiers reduce the remains of organisms in the water.

Remember always to boil water, and avoid ice cubes from contaminated water. You can bring some water purification tablets, such as iodine ones. Drinking soft drinks, like citrus juices, beers, wines, and spirits, especially international brands, is a good idea. But be sure they have no ice.

Food to be cautious of when traveling in Peru.

Street Food: This food category is common and accessible for travelers looking for authentic meals. However, street vendors may not always follow the same hygiene and sanitation standards as restaurants. Yet, consider visiting recommended places by locals to have a complete food experience, as some street food is safe to eat.

Salads: Fruits and vegetables may seem healthy while traveling, but they may increase your risk of illness. Harmful bacteria and parasites often get into raw foods. 

 They can cause food poisoning and ruin your trip. They get in during harvesting and packaging from dirt, water, or food handling. Washing fresh vegetables lowers the risk of harmful contamination to an acceptable level. 

Buffet Food: Dining is common in many vacation destinations, so Peru is not an exception. While the diversity and plenty of a buffet may appeal on a busy travel day, food safety concerns do arise. Buffet food is always exposed to air, which may increase the growth of bacteria. 

Guests who have not washed their hands may touch shared serving equipment. This can contaminate the meal with the diseases they have been exposed to. 

FAQs

Is Peru’s food safe for travelers?  Yes, it is. Peruvians love to eat, from fancy restaurants to street food stalls. Just consider the tips we give you above.

Should I avoid raw food and vegetables at all? Not necessarily. In gourmet restaurants, eating food such as meat, fish, or vegetables is considered to be safe.

Are cuy or alpaca considered bushmeat? Absolutely not, cuy and alpacas have a large tradition, even before the Incas, so people of that time ate them. Currently, farmers raise cuys and alpacas on farms or in specialized places. Alpaca and cuy meat are considered healthy and a delicacy in Peruvian cuisine.

Is it okay to eat ceviche? Of course! When you cook ceviche, the lime's acid can kill or limit the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. 

We are sure that with these tips you’ll be more than ready to start your adventure to Peru. From high altitude to the coast, Viagens Machu Picchu can assist you in seizing your travel.

 

Notice (8): Undefined variable: alias [APP/Template/Element/menu-dicas.ctp, line 33]