Enjoy Mexican Food But Take These Precautions
One of the joys of visiting or living in Mexico is having an abundance of wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables available. Mexican food was the first national cuisine to be recognized by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the “List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage” items in the world.
Many visitors in Mexico who rent condos or vacation homes, enjoy shopping for fresh produce and cooking at home. Whether you eat out or cook at home, don’t miss the chance to taste the delicious fruits and salads just because somebody told you not to eat raw vegetables while in Mexico!
Mexico has the unjustified reputation of giving people “Montezuma’s Revenge,” blamed on drinking water and consuming vegetables. But, in fact, most of the time, foreign tourists get sick from the change of food and habitat. Tourists often indulge in different foods, seafood, extra beers, and too much sun. This change in diet and climate is often the cause of most stomach problems.
There are some precautions that foreigners should take in regard to fruits, vegetables, fish, and drinking water in Mexico.
Wash Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish in an Anti-Germ Solution
Fruits, vegetables, and fish should be washed in a commercial anti-germ solution before preparing them for fresh salads or before cooking. If you cook at home, you can buy an anti-germ solution at the grocery store, OXXO, or most convenience stores. It is usually found in the produce section in grocery stores. There are several brands available, like “BacDyn” or “Microdyn.” (See photograph)
First, rinse your fruits, vegetables, or fish to remove any dirt. You can use water from the faucet. Then, immerse your fruits, vegetables, or fish in tap water or “garrafon” water (see below), add the anti-germ solution (10 drops per 1 liter of water) and soak for 10 minutes.
Some people say that they can taste the anti-germ solution, which is iodine-based. If so, after soaking your fruits, vegetables, or fish in the anti-germ solution, rinse them again in purified water (see below). Do not re-rinse in tap water. Dry and store your produce and fish in plastic bags until consumption.
Look for the “Distintivo M” in Restaurants
In tourist destinations, most restaurants and hotels take proper precautions when preparing your food. If in doubt, ask! Also, look for restaurants and hotels that display the “Distintivo M” sign, which is a recognition by the State Secretary of Tourism for their hygiene and operational standards.
Drink & Rinse with Purified Water
The faucet/tap water in major tourist destinations is treated with chlorine and most hotels perform a second in-house treatment with ultraviolet rays and sediments filtration to assure good quality drinkable water. Businesses will display signs advising you that the faucet water is 100% drinkable. If you are concerned, order bottled water in restaurants and hotels.
You can use faucet/tap water in many areas of Mexico. But, if you need purified water, it comes in “garafoons” (large bottles) for household use or in bottles. You can buy bottled water at any store. “Garrafons” are delivered by trucks that service the neighborhoods. Manufacturers of anti-germ solutions (see above) recommend adding 1 capful (7 ml.) to each “garrafon.”
If You Get Sick
Too much sun and too many Margaritas . . . you can still get sick. If you wind up with a minor case of diarrhea, you can purchase “Pepto-Bismol”® or “Lomotil”® (stronger pills) at any pharmacy without a prescription. If you need to see a doctor, one is available at most hotels and there are many medical clinics available.