Travelling is an exciting way to explore new places, cultures, and cuisines. However, staying healthy while on the road is equally important, and one key aspect is managing safe food. For Indian travellers, especially those who enjoy the comforts of home-cooked meals or are embarking on road trips using camper vans, following food safety guidelines is crucial. This blog post offers practical tips to manage safe food while travelling, focusing on Indian dietary habits and the emerging trend of turning cars into camper vans.
1. Plan Ahead: Make a Food Safety Checklist
Before leaving your journey, prepare a checklist of essential items for safe food handling. This could include:
- Cooler/insulated bags: To store perishable items.
- Reusable ice packs: To keep food cold.
- Food thermometers: To ensure food is cooked to the right temperature.
- Hand sanitisers/wipes: To clean hands before eating.
- Reusable containers: For storing leftovers.
- Garbage bags: To dispose of food waste properly.
2. Choose the Right Food for the Trip
Opt for foods that are less likely to spoil and can withstand varying temperatures. Some safe choices include:
- Dry snacks: Such as roasted chana, nuts, biscuits, and namkeen, which have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration.
- Pre-packaged meals: Ready-to-eat meals that are heat-and-eat and come in sealed pouches. Keep some for emergencies, when you do not want to cook an elaborate meal.
- Fresh fruits: Bananas, apples, and oranges are easy to carry and consume without much preparation. I would suggest to keep fruits, whose peels are not eaten - bananas or oranges. You do not need to wash them and is best when you have no access to water or are short on water storage.
- Homemade snacks: Items like theplas, parathas, and pickles can stay fresh for longer periods, especially when stored in airtight containers.
3. Pack Food Properly
Proper packaging is essential to keep food fresh and prevent contamination:
- Use airtight containers: To store cooked food and snacks. This prevents exposure to air and moisture, which can cause food to spoil.
- Wrap perishable items: In foil or plastic wrap before storing them in the cooler. This adds an extra layer of protection.
- Separate raw and cooked foods: To prevent cross-contamination, store raw ingredients away from ready-to-eat or cooked foods.
4. Practice Good Hygiene
Maintaining hygiene is crucial, especially when handling food outdoors:
- Wash hands regularly: Use soap and water or hand sanitiser if water is not available, especially before eating.
- Use reusable steel utensils which are easy to clean. You may carry disposable cutlery and plates, in case there is no access to water nearby, to avoid washing dishes with unclean water. However, using disposables should be avoided wherever possible.
- Clean surfaces: Disinfect tables and cooking areas before preparing food.
5. Be Cautious with Street Food
Street food is a beloved part of Indian travel, but it can sometimes be risky. Here are some tips:
- Choose stalls with good hygiene practices: Opt for vendors who maintain cleanliness and handle food with gloves. Check here for details about the hygienic practices of street food vendors.
- Avoid raw salads: As they may be washed with contaminated water. Stick to cooked items.
- Look for freshly cooked food: To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. Hot, steaming food is generally safer.
6. Stay Hydrated Safely
Safe drinking water is essential:
- Carry a reusable water bottle: Preferably with a built-in filter. This ensures access to safe drinking water at all times.
- Use bottled water: For drinking and cooking. Check the seal before purchasing.
- Boil water: If you’re unsure about the quality of local water, boil it before use.
7. Innovative Travel: Camper Vans with Kitchen Facilities
The concept of turning cars into camper vans is gaining popularity among Indian travellers. These vans are equipped with basic kitchen and sleeping facilities, making them ideal for road trips. Here’s how to manage food safety in camper vans:
- Install a mini-fridge: To keep perishable items like dairy products, meats, and vegetables fresh.
- Use portable stoves: For cooking meals.
- Store dry goods: In sealed containers to protect against pests and moisture.
- Regularly clean the kitchen area: Wipe down surfaces with disinfectant to prevent contamination.
- Sun exposure - Thankfully, we in India have abundant sunlight, so make use of this natural resource to disinfect the vehicle.
8. Food Safety During Festivals and Long Drives
We Indians are family-oriented and love to celebrate and travel as a family. For longer drives, especially during festivals when family gatherings and feasts are common, consider the following:
- Cook fresh meals daily: This is to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Store leftovers properly: Consume within 24 hours if they’ve been stored in a cooler.
- Avoid high-risk foods: Such as mayonnaise-based salads or uncooked eggs, which can spoil quickly.
Travelling and enjoying local and home-cooked meals is a delight, especially for Indian travellers who cherish their food. By following these food safety tips, you can ensure that your journeys are not only fun and memorable but also safe and healthy. Whether you’re indulging in street food, cooking on a camper van, or simply enjoying a picnic, these precautions will help you manage safe food while travelling.
Safe travels and happy eating!
If you are looking for interesting and effective content on mental health, parenting, lifestyle, reviews etc, check my other blog - Neerja's Musings
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |Twitter |Podcast
I have written 3 solo books and 3 anthologies. You can buy my books on Amazon. If you are on Kindle Unlimited, you can read them for free. Pls, do check and share your reviews.
Comments
Post a Comment