Food and Water Safety Guide for Tourists in India

Food and water security is one of the biggest concerns for foreign tourists travelling to India. Indian food is delicious and full of variety, but the level of hygiene is not the same everywhere.

This guide will help you eat safe in India, drink clean water, and enjoy Indian food without getting sick. You will notice that Indians consume more spices, chillies and oil in their food. You need to get used to it gradually. Excessive use of them simultaneously and suddenly can spoil your stomach.

Always check the lid is intact before purchasing bottled water. Filtered or RO water is available in good hotels and restaurants. Boiling water is safe if you don't have bottled water.

• Sealed bottled water - Always check the lid is intact before purchasing
• Filtered or RO water - Available in good hotels and restaurants
• Boiling water - Safe if you don't have bottled water
• Water Purification Tablets - Keep it for emergencies
• Packaged drinks - Sealed juices, soft drinks, bottled beverages

What to Avoid:

• Tap water - Not even in cities - never drink tap water
• Ice - Often made from tap water
• Water given in an open jug or glass on the roadside or at small stalls
• Fountain Drinks - Avoid these entirely
• Street vendor bottled water - Can be refilled. Be very careful while eating and drinking in areas around bus stands and railway stations

Essentials for Safe Food:

• Eat fresh and hot food - Steaming food is the safest
• Choose crowded restaurants - Fast sales mean fresh food
• Peel fruits yourself - Fruits like bananas, oranges, apples are safe
• Avoid raw vegetables - Salads are often washed with tap water
• Don't forget to wash your hands - Use hand sanitizer or soap
• Towels of small hotels - Sometimes they are not completely clean, be careful

What Foods Should Be Avoided in the Beginning:

• Street food (initially in limited quantities)
• Raw vegetables and salad
• Fruits cut on the roadside
• Uncooked sauces and chutneys
• Street vendor's milk, cheese or ice cream
• Meat and seafood of unreliable places

The Safest Choices:

• The restaurant of the hotel - Higher hygiene standards
• Famous local restaurants - Where it is always crowded - fresh food, high turnover
• Chain restaurants - Such as Haldiram's, Bikanervala, Barbeque Nation, Wow! Momo, Chai Point
• See the review of the restaurant - Ask the locals for a restaurant
• Tourist-friendly restaurants - Familiar with foreign palates

Street food is the soul of India, all it takes is a little understanding:

• A few days before the trip - Let your stomach adjust to Indian food first
• Eat only from crowded stalls - High turnover means fresh food
• Watch the food being prepared - Ensure it's cooked in front of you
• Do not take water-containing items - Such as pani puri/golgappa in the beginning (and eat only a little if taken)
• Choose a hot or fried item - Samosas, pakoras, dosa are safer

Ask locals for advice on safe street food stalls.

• Order by saying 'Less spicy' or 'Mild' - Most restaurants will accommodate
• Gently get used to the spices - Start with mild dishes, increase gradually
• Take curd, raita, lassi - Yogurt-based dishes help cool your mouth
• Don't eat too much oily or spicy food - Can upset sensitive stomachs initially
• Take milk or rice instead of water - Milk reduces irritation - water spreads the heat

Before Travel:

• Ask your doctor about hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines
• Carry Probiotics
• Take ORS and anti-diarrhea medications
• Keep hand sanitizers and wet wipes handy

During the Journey:

• Wash your hands before every meal
• Try local food gradually
• Drink sufficient water (bottled only)
• Don't ignore the body's signals

Always carry a basic medicine kit with you whether you are in India or travelling anywhere.

Symptoms: Diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue

Home Care:

• Relax and drink ORS - Oral rehydration solution
• Eat simple food - Rice, wheat, barley
• Avoid fried and spicy food - Until you recover
• Take OTC medications, if needed - Anti-diarrhea pills

When to See a Doctor:

• No improvement in 2-3 days
• High fever (above 39°C / 102°F)
• Lack of water in the body (severe dehydration)
• Severe pain or bleeding

Most hotels can recommend a nearby doctor or clinic.

Safe Food Options:

• Hot cooked meals - Dal, rice, roti, sabzi
• Packaged snacks - Biscuits, chips (from reputable brands)
• Peeled fruits - Bananas, oranges
• Bottled beverages - Sealed water, juices, sodas
• Vegetarian food - Generally safer than meat

Foods to Be Cautious With:

• Street food - Start slowly, choose busy stalls
• Seafood - Only from reliable restaurants
• Dairy from street vendors - Stick to packaged options
• Cut fruits from roadside - Peel your own instead
• Ice in drinks - Often made from tap water