Holiday Food Poisoning In Egypt

Food poisoning can be extremely serious and can affect holidaymakers in Egypt, Turkey and the Dominican Republic as well as in other worldwide destinations.

There have been far too many cases of holiday food poisoning in Egypt during the past 12 months. It is possible for holidaymakers to claim compensation when they return to the UK. If your holiday has been spoilt by food poisoning, you should be compensated if the infection occurred because of poor standards of health and hygiene at your holiday hotel.

Bacteria, such as Salmonella and Listeria, are classified as low dosage organisms, which mean only a low percentage of them can cause illness. Sometimes as few as 10 organisms can be enough. Food poisoning not only causes pain and suffering, but can also ruin your holiday of a lifetime to Egypt or the Dominican Republic.

Some of the best ways to avoid food poisoning in Egypt and other holiday destinations include:

1.Never eat food that has been prepared too far in advance or which is kept out uncovered, such as all inclusive holiday style buffets.

2.Make sure cool food has been kept in the fridge.

3.Food should always be reheated to at least 70C. If the food is cold or lukewarm, refuse to eat it.

4.Never take ice in drinks.

5.If poor standards of health and hygiene exist in your holiday hotel, complain to the holiday representative and refuse to eat the food.

6.Never eat food raw if it should be cooked, beware of seafood such as oysters and clams which are not cooked and always avoid sushi unless you are 100% certain it has been prepared in a hygienic kitchen environment with the freshest ingredients.

7.Make sure food is not reheated and re-served day after day and if you suspect poor standards of food preparation and storage at your holiday hotel in Egypt, make a complaint.

8.If food handlers have an infection such as a cough or cold, they should not be handling food. If you suspect this is the case, refuse to eat the food.

9.Beware the holiday barbecue. If meat is undercooked or served pink it can cause food poisoning.

10.Only eat fruit you can peel yourself.

Sharm El Sheikh has seen many outbreaks of food poisoning particularly from holidaymakers staying in all inclusive holiday hotels. Some holidaymakers complain of excrement being seen in swimming pools, bird faeces being seen on restaurant tables, cockroach infestations, generally very poor standards of health and hygiene and lukewarm, undercooked and inedible food.

If you have stayed in a holiday hotel in Egypt and suffered symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, headaches or aches and pains, you should first seek medical help, then see your GP when you return to the UK. Once you are able, contact a personal injury solicitor in the UK who can help you claim the compensation you deserve from the tour operator. It is worth remembering that the tour operator has a responsibility to safeguard the welfare and health of holidaymakers and if food poisoning has been caused by their neglect, you are well within your rights to claim compensation for loss of enjoyment of your holiday as well as for your pain and suffering.