All Inclusive Hotels Dominican Republic

All inclusive hotels in the Dominican Republic have seen many outbreaks of food poisoning over the past 18 months and hundreds of UK holidaymakers are now bringing claims against tour operators for compensation.

Even if you are staying in an in all inclusive hotel in the Dominican Republic, if food is undercooked or you suspect it is unsafe to eat, refuse to eat it. If you contract food poisoning abroad not only will it cost you money but it will also ruin your holiday. Keep as much evidence as possible, including copies of complaint forms, photographic evidence and make a note of the standard of food and conditions in your holiday hotel which could have caused illness.

Salmonella food poisoning causes symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever and, if it reaches the blood stream, it can cause serious illness particularly in young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems. Once you have seen a doctor, if you are convinced the illness was caused by food served in the holiday package tour hotel, you should contact a personal injury solicitor who specialises in cases of holiday illness. If you have been exposed to holiday illness by the tour operator you should be able to claim compensation when you return to the UK.

Salmonella typically clears up within 3-4 days and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and fever. Most people who suffer from Salmonella food poisoning recover within a few weeks but you must always seek medical advice as it can cause more serious illness if it goes untreated. When you return to the UK, get checked out by your GP to make sure you are not still harbouring the bacteria which are particularly dangerous for food handlers if they go back to work too early.

If you are staying in a holiday hotel or an all inclusive hotel in the Dominican Republic which is not clean or one where standards of health and safety are poor, you should make a complaint to the tour representative. If food is not served fresh daily or if it is served lukewarm or left out uncovered, refuse to eat it. All inclusive hotels have a responsibility not to expose you to food poisoning or any other type of gastric illness which is related to the standards of food and hygiene and you are well within your rights to claim compensation if you suffer illness after eating in a hotel restaurant.

All inclusive buffet-style food is perfectly fine if it is cooked and maintained at proper temperatures and if the food is stored correctly in the hotel kitchens. Worktops must be washed down regularly, kitchen utensils must be cleaned in hot, soapy water and cutting boards should never be used for different foods without being thoroughly washed in between so that cross contamination does not take place. If, however, food is badly prepared and stored or left open to infection by flies and insects you are likely to suffer food poisoning.

Guests should never eat undercooked meat from a holiday barbecue which is one of the biggest causes of food poisoning. In addition, only drink water from a bottle with the seal intact and eat fruit which you can peel yourself. Hot food should be piping hot and cold food should be properly chilled to prevent any type of food poisoning.