Revealed: The very talked-about (and shocking) vacation locations the place vacationers are most vulnerable to meals poisoning – as our consultants clarify the right way to hold your self protected

Vibrant culture, attractions galore and a thriving food scene – it should have provided the perfect backdrop for a family holiday.

But for German couple Cigdem, 27, and Servert, 38, and their two young children, a happy day out in Istanbul ended in a fatal incident.

After a day exploring the city, the family wanted to try Turkish specialities from nearby restaurants, and ordered a variety of unusual local dishes such as kokorec, made of lamb or goat intestines, and tavuk tantuni, a Turkish chicken wrap.

They then treated themselves to Turkish delight from a shop in Fatih before heading back to their hotel.

But before long, the two young children – Masal, three, and Kadir, six – came down with acute nausea and vomiting. They were rushed to hospital by their parents, before they, too, were suddenly hit by the same symptoms.

Following treatment at two medical facilities for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness, the family were discharged and returned back to their hotel.

But just hours later, the condition of both the mother and children deteriorated rapidly. They died last Wednesday. Servert was later readmitted to hospital, where he also passed away. 

The Forensic Medicine Institute is in the process of analysing samples from the restaurants and shops visited by the family, with their bodies also under post-mortem examination. 

While the family’s official cause of death remains unknown, their tragic passing serves as a chilling reminder to be wary of the food we eat on holiday, even in resort hotels specifically catering to overseas visitors.

In November 2024, 70-year-old Leslie Green was enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, before falling ill after a meal, and eventually dying of salmonella.

A survey conducted from 2013-2022 of gastrointestinal infections in North East England found that out of 2,357 travel associated illnesses including salmonella, nearly half occurred in just four countries: Spain, Turkey, India and Egypt.

We’ve spoken to experts and pin-pointed the travel hotspots where you should be most wary of what (and where) you choose to eat so your holiday stays free of potentially fatal illness.

SPAIN

The sheer numbers of Brits heading to sunny Spain means that, when food or drink is contaminated, the numbers who become ill can quickly rise into the dozens.

In the summer of 2019, 89 British holidaymakers fell ill with gastrointestinal infections, suffering symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea while staying at a resort in Lanzarote, also part of the Canary Islands.

Reports spoke of the hotel recycling food, guests finding maggots in milk, unhygienic cleaning practices and poor pool sanitation.

At the same resort several couples on a Christmas holiday in 2022 fell seriously ill. 

Their cases are being investigated by specialist lawyers representing almost 100 holidaymakers (including more than 50 children) who suffered from serious bacterial illnesses that summer from the same resort, including salmonella and E. coli.

Dr Megha Pancholi, Clinical Lead GP at Boots Online Doctor, advises that: ‘For short-term relief of diarrhoea without blood in the stools or high fever, loperamide and other over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms.

‘Oral rehydration salts, which contain electrolytes are particularly useful to help rehydrate and replace lost electrolytes especially if you struggling to keep much down.’

But, as Dr Pancholi states, it’s important to know the cut-off point between taking over the counter medication and calling an ambulance.

‘Get urgent medical help if you notice blood in your stools, have signs of severe dehydration like feeling very thirsty, dizzy, passing little or no urine, a high fever, or confusion, or if symptoms don’t start improving after a couple of days,’ she says.

‘Children, older adults, and people with underlying health problems should seek help sooner, as they’re more at risk from dehydration.’

INDIA

Food handling and polluted water are both major factors in inducing the feared ‘Delhi Belly’.

Often, it can mean no more than an uncomfortable day or so. But more serious illness is not uncommon for holidaymakers.

British influencer Sam Pepper was hospitalised after drinking a bhang lassi (a cannabis-infused yoghurt drink) while on a tour of the country last year.

Meanwhile, in May this year, more than 80 people were hospitalised with symptoms including vomiting and stomach pain after a temple feast in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu.

Dr Pancholi says: ‘The best way to protect yourself is to stick to drinks from reputable bars, hotels or recognised shops.

‘Avoid homemade or locally distilled spirits, as well as pre-mixed cocktails and “buckets” sold to tourists.

‘If you’re buying bottled drinks, make sure the seal is unbroken and the label looks professional – poor print quality or spelling mistakes can be a red flag.’

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Eating contaminated food from street vendors is one of the most common ways travellers can fall ill in South East Asia.

But an emerging new danger comes from methanol-tainted drinks, often served at backpacker venues.

Londoner Simone White, 28, died last year after drinking alcohol which contained methanol at a backpacker hostel in the Laos town of Vang Vieng. 

Five other tourists, from Denmark, the US and Australia, also died after drinking at the same hostel that night.

Dr Pancholi advises: ‘If you suspect methanol poisoning – even if you’re not sure – get medical help immediately.

‘Doctors can give treatments to stop the methanol becoming toxic, sometimes dialysis is needed to remove it from the body.

‘The earlier you’re treated, the better the outcome. Don’t wait to see if it improves on its own – act quickly.’

MEXICO

Nearly 150 holidaymakers were struck down with the food-borne illness cyclospora; an outbreak of which broke out around all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya during the summer of 2016.

In 2023, another outbreak in the same area resulted in more than 70 holidaymakers returning back to the UK with the same illness.

The Covid years of 2020 and 2021 are the only years in the last decade where British holidaymakers returning from Mexico with suspected cyclospora haven’t numbered in the dozens or higher.

The UK Health Security Agency states: ‘Travellers to Mexico are strongly advised to maintain good food and water hygiene at all times even if staying in high-end all-inclusive resorts.

‘If possible, they should choose freshly prepared food that is thoroughly cooked and served piping hot.

‘Certain foods should be avoided such as fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad items as these can be difficult to clean.’

MOROCCO/EGYPT

The main risk in Morocco and Egypt (and the rest of North Africa) comes from untreated water used in food preparation, including the washing of raw ingredients.

In July this year, 29 people were hospitalised after eating sandwiches from a stall near Kenitra market in north west Morocco.

Over in Egypt, two year old Chloe Crook from Kent was left in a coma after contracting food poisoning while on holiday with her parents at a five-star resort last year.

The inexperience of hotel and restaurant staff when dealing with allergies has also had fatal consequences.

Lily King, 18, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, had a wide variety of severe food allergies but her mother Aicha said they were reassured by staff at a restaurant in the Moroccan capital Rabat that her dinner choice of chicken, vegetables and chips was safe for her to eat.

Lily had a severe allergic reaction and died three days later after suffering a heart attack and a catatonic fit.

Lily’s father, Michael, said: ‘Most restaurants in the UK are very careful, but many other countries don’t have compulsory training programmes for staff around allergies. 

‘Every time you eat out, especially abroad, it’s Russian roulette.

‘Someone needs to warn people who are going on holiday to other countries – not only Morocco – to be very, very wary of eating out. Especially if you don’t have the language.’

BALI

Tourists should always be wary of eating street food in Bali, no matter how delicious it looks, due to the usual concerns about contaminated water that can be used to wash and prepare the local ingredients.

Alcohol poisoning is another issue, with adulterated alcohol deemed culpable for the horror that unfolded for Kirsty McKie.

The 38-year-old was taken ill the day after consuming toxic alcohol and died in hospital from methanol poisoning in July 2022.

Coroner Alison Mutch, the Senior Coroner for Greater Manchester South, told an inquest into Ms McKie’s death: ‘The Inquest heard evidence that there is a growing problem of methanol being passed off as alcohol for human consumption, particularly in places such as Bali.

‘Methanol is used rather than ethanol in spirits aimed at the Western market and sold even through apparently reputable suppliers.

‘Knowledge of the problem amongst the expatriate/tourist community was very low despite the increase in the problem and the catastrophic consequences of methanol consumption.’

GREECE

In May this year a public health alert was issued in the northern Greek resort town of Neos Marmaras after five tourists reported symptoms of food poisoning after eating meat from a food stall.

Such incidents can be expensive, as well as unpleasant.

Auxiliary nurse Melissa Pickering, 30, from Oldham, had to spend around £1000 on medical bills after her family holiday in Rhodes resulted in her husband Bradley and their two young sons all falling severely ill with suspected food poisoning during their stay at a resort.

It is possible to claim compensation if you suspect you’ve suffered food poisoning, but there are hoops you should jump through to boost the chances of your claim being successful.

The Holiday Claims Bureau says: ‘Once you realise that you have become the victim of food poisoning, you should keep detailed records of your symptoms, treatments, and expenses incurred due to the illness.

‘Gather evidence to support your claim, including photos, videos, and witness statements from your holiday experience.

‘Then seek prompt medical attention, following professional advice, and obtain a written medical report to further solidify your case.’

TURKEY

Undercooked meats or contaminated salads have caused numerous illnesses in Turkish all-inclusive resort hotels.

In 2023, Holly Parkin, 27, from Dagenham went to Turkey in September with her partner, Matthew Morris and their three young children.

All of the family, other than Ms Parkin, came down with suspected food poisoning with one of their children put on an IV drip once they’d landed back in the UK after their aborted stay at a five-star hotel.

Last year, 41-year-old Jennifer Bowditch was staying in Antalya and fell seriously ill after eating chilli chicken at the hotel’s buffet a few days into the week-long trip.

After allegedly beginning to lose consciousness, she was taken to hospital and put on an IV drip. Dr Pancholi warns: ‘Buffets can be risky if food isn’t kept at the right temperature or left out for long periods.

‘Be especially cautious with raw or undercooked meat, seafood, and eggs, as well as unpasteurised dairy products.

‘Salads, herbs, and garnishes might have been washed in unsafe water, so it’s safer to avoid them unless you’re confident they’ve been properly prepared. Peel fruit yourself before eating, and steer clear of berries or other produce that can’t easily be washed or peeled.

‘If you’re unsure about an item, it’s fine to politely ask staff when it was prepared or how it’s been stored – fresh food should be hot if it’s meant to be hot, or well-chilled if served cold.’

For more info on staying healthy on your holidays visit the the Boots Online Doctor website at onlinedoctor.boots.com. Through Boots Online Doctor, customers can also access support for more than 45 conditions – including jet lag, altitude sickness and period delay.