Street food is a delightful and integral part of many cultures, offering unique culinary experiences that are often unparalleled. Bangladesh's vibrant street food scene is a feast for the senses, featuring delicious snacks and meals at every corner, from savory fuchka to sweet jilapi. These culinary delights are a must-try for any visitor. However, it is crucial to be mindful of potential health risks associated with street food, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. Here is how you can savor street food safely in Bangladesh. Tips for Eating Street Food Safely Check Reviews In the digital age, many food bloggers and reviewers provide insights into the quality and safety of street food vendors. Before buying food from a particular roadside stall, check online reviews. These reviews often highlight the hygiene practices of the vendors and the overall quality of the food. This can be an invaluable resource for making informed decisions about where to eat. Inspect the Vendor's Cleanliness Before deciding to purchase street food, take a moment to observe the vendor's cleanliness. Check if their hands are clean and if they use gloves or tongs when handling food. A vendor who maintains personal hygiene is likely to adhere to better food safety practices, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The way a vendor handles food is a good indicator of their overall hygiene standards. Read more: Fridge Smells Bad? Reasons and How to Get Rid of It Assess the Cleanliness of the Stall The overall cleanliness of the food stall is another critical factor. Look for vendors who keep their cooking area and utensils clean and avoid those with overflowing bins or dirty utensils. A clean environment signifies good hygiene practices. Stalls that are well-organized and tidy are more likely to follow safe food handling practices, which helps in minimizing the risk of contamination. Go for Freshly Cooked Food Whenever possible, choose food that is cooked right in front of you. Freshly prepared foods are delicious and less likely to be at risk of spoilage. Foods that are left out for long periods can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of illness. Opting for freshly cooked items ensures that you are consuming food that is less likely to have been contaminated. Observe Cooking Practices Watch how the food is being cooked. Ensure that hot foods are served hot and cold foods are served cold. Proper cooking temperatures are crucial for killing harmful bacteria. Additionally, observe if the vendor avoids cross-contamination by handling raw and cooked foods separately. These practices are vital for maintaining food safety. Read more: Urban Agriculture: Top 10 Monsoon Vegetables to Grow in Bangladesh Choose Busy Vendors Usually, a street food stall becomes popular for serving fresh and tasty foods. Therefore, it is best to opt for stalls with a high customer turnover. A busy vendor is often a sign of good food quality and safety. High turnover means that the food is being sold quickly, reducing the chances of it sitting out and becoming contaminated. Avoid Foods Washed with Tap Water In many places, tap water is not safe for consumption. Avoid eating foods that are washed with tap water, such as salads and raw vegetables. Contaminated water can carry harmful pathogens that lead to foodborne illnesses. It is suggested to opt for foods that do not require washing or are washed with safe water.

Travelling is an exciting adventure that exposes us to new cultures, cuisines, and experiences. However, amidst the excitement, one must be vigilant about food safety to ensure a healthy trip. Food poisoning can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. In this article, we will delve into useful tips to safeguard the tourists against food borne illnesses while on the move. Practical Ways to Prevent Food Borne Illness While Travelling Research Local Cuisine Before journey, travellers need to delve into the local culinary scene and customary food safety protocols of their destination. This preliminary research equips them to make the right decisions about dining options. Understanding the local food landscape helps to anticipate what is in store and make choices that align with your own preferences and safety. It ensures a more enjoyable and worry-free gastronomic experience. Choose Reputable Restaurants It is better to select well-established, reputable restaurants renowned for their commitment to hygiene and patron safety. These dining venues adhere to rigorous cleanliness standards. This certifies a secure and pleasant dining environment. By choosing such establishments, a traveller not only guarantees a delightful culinary experience but also prioritises his or her health and well-being. In this case, the traveller knows that the food served is prepared and handled with the highest regard for safety and quality. Read more: 7 Comforting Soups for Upset Stomach Avoid Street Vendors with Poor Hygiene Indulging in street food is tempting, but be discerning—steer clear of vendors with questionable hygiene. Instead, one may opt for those who maintain visible cleanliness and serve a steady stream of customers. Prioritising hygiene in street food adventures makes sure a safer culinary experience. It allows one to relish local flavours without compromising well-being during travels. Drink Bottled Water In certain regions, it is always suggested to opt for bottled water to guarantee safe consumption. It is safe to prioritise bottles with an unbroken seal, verifying their authenticity. This cautious approach ensures traveller’s hydration is clean and secure. It safeguards their health during travels. They should always try to make an informed choice to keep themselves refreshed and well, no matter where they go. Wash Fruits and Vegetables Thoroughly Before consuming raw fruits and vegetables, it is essential to wash them meticulously with clean water. This process helps eliminate any potential contaminants, including dirt, pesticides, or bacteria. It guarantees that what one eats is fresh, safe, and free of harmful substances. Taking this simple precaution significantly contributes to a healthy and enjoyable dining experience. Read more: Upset Stomach Remedies: What to eat, drink and avoid

Eleven countries have reported salmonella food poisoning, linked to Kinder chocolate products produced in Belgium, according to the UN health agency. There have been more than 150 suspected cases of salmonellosis – from Belgium to the US – after UK regulators flagged a cluster of salmonella typhimurium cases a month ago, leading to a global recall, the World Health Organization (WHO) said recently. By April 25, 151 genetically related cases of salmonella typhimurium suspected to be linked to the consumption of the implicated chocolate products were reported from Belgium (26), France (25), Germany (10), Ireland (15), Luxembourg (1), the Netherlands (2), Norway (1 case), Spain (1 case), Sweden (4), the UK (65) and the USA (1). Children under 10 have been most affected – comprising around 89 percent of cases – and available data indicates that nine patients were hospitalised. There have been no fatalities. The risk of spread in the WHO European region and globally is assessed as moderate until the information is available on the full recall of the products, the WHO said. Genetic sequencing of the salmonella bacteria which sparked the food scare showed that the pathogen originated in Belgium. At least 113 countries across Europe and globally have received Kinder products during the period of risk, the UN agency said, adding that salmonella bacteria matching the current human cases of infection were found last December and January, in buttermilk tanks at a factory run by chocolate makers Ferrero, in the Belgian city of Arlon. The factory was ordered to temporarily close earlier this month. The outbreak strain of salmonella is resistant to six types of antibiotics, according to the WHO. Symptoms of salmonellosis are relatively mild and patients will make a recovery without specific treatment, in most cases.  However, the risks are higher for some children and elderly patients where dehydration can become severe and life-threatening. Although there are around 2,500 strains of salmonella bacteria, the majority of human infections are caused by two serotypes – typhimurium and enteritidis. Salmonellosis is characterised by acute fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea that can be bloody as in most of the current cases of infection. Symptoms typically begin between six and 72 hours after ingestion of food or water contaminated with salmonella, and sickness can last from two to seven days.  Salmonella bacteria are widely found in domestic and wild animals, such as poultry, pigs, and cattle. Pets are not immune either, and salmonella can pass through the entire food chain from animal feed, primary production, and to households or food-service establishments and institutions. In humans, salmonellosis is generally contracted after eating contaminated food of animal origin – mainly eggs, meat, poultry, and milk. Also read: Chocolate, Candy, Wafer Companies, Brands in Bangladesh: An Overview

Food poisoning is a condition most people are familiar with. It results from eating foods that have been contaminated with parasites, viruses, bacteria, or other chemical toxins. It is a common infection that usually causes mild symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. In most cases, patients suffering from it get better within a few days even without any kind of treatment. But in some cases, this condition may take an ugly turn and cause severe symptoms like rectal bleeding associated with fever. To identify and prevent this condition from occurring as much as one can, it is important to know what the symptoms of food poisoning are, what causes such conditions and how these can be treated. Read When to See a Nutritionist? Symptoms of Food Poisoning These symptoms of food poisoning can appear within a few hours of food ingestion to several days later of food intake. Nausea One of the most common symptoms of food poisoning is that it makes people feel nauseous. The affected person will feel the inclination to vomit every now and then. This queasiness might also be accompanied by a feeling of dizziness. Read Low-grade Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention Diarrhea Another major symptom of food poisoning is that it can upset the stomach. A doctor’s assistance should be immediately sought if the patient spots blood or mucus with their stool. Rectal bleeding happens quite often in people with food poisoning and it should not be ignored at any cost. Abdominal Pain Diarrhea is mostly accompanied by cramps in the abdomen. These can make the patient feel the urge to defecate frequently and is an unpleasant experience. Read How to Overcome Depression Without Medication? Fatigue The aforementioned symptoms can cause severe fatigue or loss of energy in the affected person. Feeling weak or dizzy while standing up can be a sign of this fatigue in the body. Fever Although this does not happen quite often, some people with food poisoning can be seen with a raised temperature that suggests fever in the body. The patient might also come down with chills to indicate the inception of fever in the patient. Read Mosquirix: WHO Recommends World's First Malaria Vaccine RTS,S Muscle Ache All these symptoms can make the body feel weak and sore. It might hurt for the affected person to raise their arms or to even walk as there is a chance of muscle ache occurring in the whole body.

A minor girl died from food poisoning while her parents fell sick at Kadirapara village in Nawabganj upazila on Tuesday.