Food Safety

Food prepared for us will follow basic guidelines to minimize gut illness in our teams. Meats will be well cooked and typically include chicken, pork and seafood. Many of our mission trips will have the pleasure of eating a roasted pig in the traditional island methods. Do not eat raw lettuce or cabbage. We ask our hosts to blanch cabbage and similar foods to aid in food safety. Fruits that are peeled are generally safer but be sure to sanitize your hands if the fruit is eaten without utensils. Coconuts, bananas and citrus are generally safe. Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are washed in either boiled water or bottled water. Caution is advised if you eat anything from someones home and food safety is less certain away from primary meal times.

Water

BOTTLED WATER ONLY! Local water is not safe for us to drink. Coffee is generally safe and when possible you should offer a bottle of water for coffee in the home of an individual. As coffee requires boiled water, coffee is typically safe to drink if you are certain it is fresh and made with boiling water. Coconut water is also reasonably safe if the coconut is opened in front of you.

DO NOT TRUST water filter bottles or other camping type filtration. Finding out the hard way that your system is inadequate for certain bacteria, viruses or contaminants can ruin an otherwise lovely mission adventure.

Street Food

Food sold from street vendors is NOT CONSIDERED SAFE for our teams. Cheese pizza (without meat) is fairly safe if you see it removed from the oven. Browned pizza dough, well cooked throughout requires a 600 degree oven which is helpful. All street food certainly carries more risk than our formal meals or from known restaurants. Ask questions and avoid unnecessary risks.