Is it safe to eat food and drink bottled water in Egypt?

Question

My mom and I have been planning to go on an Africa safari in 2009. We are finally starting to plan it and I realized Egypt is in Africa also. As long as I'm on the continent, I want to spend a few days in Egypt to visit the pyramids and museum. My mom says she heard that Americans get sick when they stay in Egypt. She heard that the food and water (even bottled water) will make you sick. Because of that she doesn't want to go. Has anybody heard anything similar? Does anybody know of any websites where I could research effects of food and water in other countries?

Answer 1

Don't worry, it is generally safe. You can drink the bottled water definitely, but I would recommend you to drink from brands you recognize. There is one brand there called Hayat that has gotten me mildly sick every time I drank it, so I would avoid that one! Stick with ones like Nestle, etc. In my opinion Nestle tastes the cleanest and is the safest one.



As for the food, I would avoid any place that doesn't look too sanitary, a lot of the road side ones with really cheap food aren't too safe unless you are used to it. If you drink from any of the juice/sugarcane stands, ask for a paper cup because the glasses they serve it in usually aren't cleaned very well and are reused with tons of people throughout the day, so you can imagine... :)



If you want to be on the safe side, you can just eat from restaurants there such as McDonald's, Burger King etc. They are totally safe. I would avoid one called [Cook Door], though its delicious, even Egyptians complain about getting sick from it! :)



And just remember if you are in a restaurant and they bring you a cup with water in it, it is tap water, never drink it!



Hope you enjoy your time in Egypt, it's really a place I love. :)

Answer 2

Egypt Foods And Drinks

Answer 3

I went to Egypt in the summer and I did not get sick, but only drink bottled water such as Aquafina brand and don't buy any food from places that look dirty or you don't know very well. Fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Chili's over there are fine to eat from. Best advice, go and have a good time but stay away from places you don't know too much about and drink bottled water only.

Answer 4

The water is hard to drink...DONT DRINK IT AT FIRST...it's has been chemically treated to make it safe to drink, but to non-locals like me and my husband it will give you serious tummy rumblys. If you plan to stay for a while you can drink it in small doses until your body adjusts to the chemicals. We've been here 4 months and still won't drink a lot in one day. Bottled water is the best. Also, foods are fine just be sure if you buy from the steet markets to wash everything very well.

Answer 5

The trick with places like Egypt is to just drink plenty of water, bottles & sealed caps. Be careful in the sun & wash your hands.

Most tourists get de-hydrated & thats what makes them ill.

I travel regularly to Egypt & even lived there 2 yrs (hubbys Egyptian), & in nearly 7 yrs, i've only been ill once.

Dont worry & enjoy your time there, it'll blow your mind.

Answer 6

If you have lived in America your whole life you will more than likely get sick. The reason being is that when we grow up, our bodies are used to the water and the food. Going to another country COMPLETLY changes that, and since your body isn't used to the food, water, time zones, even the environment (Weather), it reacts by getting sick.

Answer 7

If you buy your bottled water from a store, you'll be fine. Just buy large bottles and take them into the restaurants with you; on that subject, eat at places that look reputable. The dingier, the dirtier.

Answer 8

When Penn & Teller went for the Magic and Mystery tour, Teller even wore a scuba mask in the shower because the water has parasites and many people die from them every year. They also do not the same sanitation laws regarding food preperation so Hepatitis is a very serious risk. So you could die if you drink tap water and eat food prepared in Egypt. It is a painful and unpleasant death too.

Answer 9

most of the tourists don't get sick, just eat from the restaurants with good reputations, avoid cheap ones, bottled water is okay

Answer 10

I would avoid food from the streets... about bottled water, check if the bottle sealed... or drink canned soda ;)

Answer 11

eating in a decent place and drinking bottled water , and brushing your teeth with bottled water makes your stay safe .

thousands of tourists come and have no complaint .

Answer 12

im just going fine here even i drink from the tab water everyday....and the same also for the food...i avoid to eat meat outside...

Answer 13

You should be fine, its normally the heat that makes people ill.