Is Your Breakfast Buffet Safe from Contamination?
A COMMON food item most hotels offer guests during breakfast could be riddled with contamination. Although most Brits won’t think twice before tucking into a breakfast buffet – they’re being advised to keep an eye out for one staple ingredient.
The Risk of Contaminated Condiments
Contaminated Condiments: The Hidden Danger
Eight foods have been blacklisted and should be avoided at all costs or punters could risk a nasty bout of food poisoning, according to foodie outlet Mashed. Included are things like scrambled eggs, cereal, and pancakes, but there’s one offering that might surprise holidaygoers.
As reported by the outlet, Alberta-based microbiologist Jay Tetro said that condiments should be avoided, especially if they have a short shelf life. Things like jam, peanut butter, marmalade, and marmite should stay firmly off your plate – meaning a simple slice of toast with your favorite topping is off-limits if you want to leave the hotel in as good shape as when you first entered.
He said, “If they are just open and there are spoons and things like that, then there’s a very good likelihood that people will get their fingers in there.” He went on to explain that because of how people generally wash their hands, the bottled goodies could be contaminated.
He also said that buffet eaters should be “especially careful” of condiments with a short shelf life like mayonnaise, lemon slices, and salad dressing, as they’re “breeding grounds” for bacteria. The best way to be sure your sauces are not covered in germs is to look out for individually wrapped packets, as they will not have had any fingers meddling in them before you’ve squirted them over your hash browns.
The Best and Worst Choices for Your Breakfast Buffet
The Eight Worst Foods to Avoid at a Breakfast Buffet
Food experts at Mashed put together a list of foods that should be avoided when seen in a hotel buffet.
- Fried potatoes
- Fruit salad
- Pancakes
- Raw oysters
- Cereal
- Condiments
- Scrambled eggs
- Pre-cooked breakfast meats
The Eight Best Foods to Choose at a Breakfast Buffet
But they also put together a list of the more favorable items that holiday-goers can tuck into with little concern.
- Cold cuts (Deli meat)
- Smoked salmon
- Quiche
- Omelet station Omelets
- Avocado
- Cheese
- Fresh local fruit
- Nuts
It’s not the only travel tip that’s helping Brits make the best choices when planning their dream holiday this year. An experienced flyer has shown travelers how to minimize the damage to their wallet as fees to check-in your luggage rise. And, this European holiday park offers a budget-friendly alternative that’s £1,000 cheaper than Center Parcs. Elsewhere, a flight booking expert revealed the best ways for passengers to save money when buying flights. And this travel expert explains why he always picks the worst seat on the plane.