All-inclusive holidays cover a wide range of expenses upfront, including accommodation, meals, drinks, and often activities. These kinds of holidays make budgeting easy while abroad and afford travellers a more relaxing break with everything catered towards their enjoyment, often including a sizeable buffet.
The all-you-can-eat buffet isn’t a new concept; its most direct origins are in Sweden during the 16th century and Las Vegas, US, in the 20th century. They have scaled up in size and popularity over the years, but there’s something to be said about how hygienic they are. Despite long-standing advice to avoid meat, like pork and chicken, and ice served by bars abroad, Jessie Chambers, Senior Travel Consultant at Global Work and Travel, says there are riskier items on the table.
Buffets can pose an E. coli risk due to potential cross-contamination and improper food handling. But instead of focusing on undercooked meat and watery poolside drinks, Jessie warned that five “unexpected” foods are often to blame for stomach bugs abroad.
1. Sauces and gravies
You wouldn’t think twice about pasta sauces or meaty gravies upsetting your stomach on holiday, but the “hot” food that’s actually lukewarm under a heat lamp is a likely culprit.
Jessie warns that if sauces are not kept piping hot, they become bacterial breeding grounds. Often, there are clear signs that sauces and gravies are best avoided: sauces and gravies may show signs of separation or skin formation.
Hot foods should maintain temperatures of at least 140F (60C), typically achieved through properly functioning chafing dishes, slow cookers, heat lamps, or warming trays.
Look for visual cues that hot food is actually hot, such as steam rising from dishes, bubbling sauces, or heating elements that are clearly activated.
One of the nasty strains of bacteria that loves hanging out in food that’s been sitting out for too long is Clostridium perfringens. Catch this bug and you’ll likely develop diarrhoea and stomach cramps within six to 24 hours after eating contaminated food.
2. Cooked rice and pasta
Everyone knows not to leave rice out at room temperature for too long if you plan on storing it in the fridge after, and the same goes for leaving it out at a buffet.
Cooked rice and pasta left at room temperature are ideal for bacterial growth. Food Republic notes: “You’ll know you’re in trouble when you see staff dumping fresh food right on top of the crusty remains that have been sitting out forever, then giving it a lazy stir until everything mushes together.”
Leaving rice and pasta at room temperature for more than two hours is generally considered unsafe due to the risk of bacterial growth, particularly Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning.
3. Pre-cut fruit and salad
If you think fresh produce like fruit and salad is a safer bet, you may be corrected. Anything washed in contaminated water can spread E. coli, so it’s generally best to opt for whole foods like apples, plums, peaches, pears and oranges, says Jessie.
While most of Europe has safe tap water, some countries and regions should be approached with caution due to potential contamination, according to an analysis by Compare The Supermarket.
Travellers should be wary in European countries like Bulgaria, Cyprus, Lithuania, Romania, and Turkey, as well as specific areas within Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
4. Cold meats and soft cheeses
Just as hot foods should be kept hot, cold foods also require specific temperatures (Below 40F/4C). Quality buffets accomplish this by displaying cold items in ice baths or using refrigerated cases.
Dairy products, seafood, and meat are particularly vulnerable to temperature abuse and require vigilant monitoring. If not properly chilled, cold meats and soft cheese are a common cause of illness, said Jessie.
5. Creamy desserts
Custard tarts and tiramisu are popular at all-inclusive hotel buffets, and let’s face it, they are irresistible when you’re on holiday.
The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that “cheesecake and any cakes or desserts containing fresh cream are left out of the fridge for the shortest time possible, ideally not longer than four hours”, but different countries have different rules.
These creamy delights can spoil quickly when it’s warm, so they’re best avoided if you are worried about food poisoning.
That said, Jessie says all of these foods, including ice, can generally be safely enjoyed while on holiday. “Unless you’re in a remote or ultra-budget location, ice is usually made from safe water sources and stored hygienically,” she explained.
However, Jessie recommends always aiming for freshly cooked meals and “using the busiest buffet times when turnover is highest” just to be safe.