Buffet Safety : Morning MEDtalks with Dr K K Aggarwal

New Delhi, August 22, 2018 :

How safe is hotel buffet?

Any type of food can cause food poisoning. One way this can take place is when food has been left out for too long, which can particularly be an issue when it comes to hotel buffets.

Different foods with different food safety risks are sometimes mixed or served together. The food left out for a long time and a large number of customers may eat the same food. So if there is a problem, there is a risk for a large scale outbreak.

Symptoms of food poisoning include feeling sick, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, a high temperature of 38C or above and generally feeling unwell. These can show a few hours after eating the contaminated food or even a few weeks later.

• Avoid any uncooked food, apart from fruits and vegetables. Also, try not to mix up different food types by piling everything on one plate, remember you can always go back for another course.
• Keep an eye out for signs of poor hygiene such as the presence of pests and flies or uncleaned surfaces. Consider whether the food is handled manually of whether there are enough utensils to handle the food without contaminating it.
• The more foods require handling, the greater the risk they can pose, such as fresh fruit salads and fresh salads.
• Always wash your hands before eating and watch out for other customers mixing up utensils at the buffet as cross-contamination between food items can lead to illness.
• A lot of stomach upsets on holiday are caused by overconsumption rather than food poisoning, so eat and drink in moderation.