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Original poster

Eating salad in Greece

63 replies

Soconfusedandbroken · 17/08/2023 07:01

Off to Rhodes and was wondering how safe it is these days to eat salad in an All Inclusive hotel?

I remember years ago, it was a no-no. Is ir still like that, or have things moved on?

OP posts:
panko · 17/08/2023 07:04

Presumably people who live there eat salad? Why wouldn't it be ok? Genuinely wondering - I don't travel much. Do people avoid salad?

MissCherryCakeyBun · 17/08/2023 07:05

@panko yes due to the water it being washed in not being bacteria free. Common sense really

BitOutOfPractice · 17/08/2023 07:08

This makes me laugh a bit. When I think of the terrible, crumbling, under invested state of our water system, I wonder why so many brits still think of modern EU nations like the third world.

ApolloandDaphne · 17/08/2023 07:09

I went to Greece. I ate the salad. I lived.

Auntieobem · 17/08/2023 07:09

Can't imagine being in Rhodes and not being able to enjoy a Greek salad!

Caprisunny · 17/08/2023 07:10

I have never avoided salad in Greece and it’s not been an issue with me or the kids.

I am aware about being careful with water abroad. But never taken it to the extreme of not eating a salad

Temporaryname158 · 17/08/2023 07:10

Food standards are very high in Greece, you will be fine with salad

wishIwasonholiday10 · 17/08/2023 07:11

The water is safe in Greece and salads are fine. All inclusives have buffets and the food might have been sitting around for awhile in the heat with flies around etc so there is more risk although I would have thought salad was relatively low risk in a buffet.

primoseyellow · 17/08/2023 07:16

I think the issue with salad is that it can have E coli which is caused at the source its grown at, so even if the hotel has high standards, rinsing the lettuce etc is unlikely to get rid of it.

It's been a big issue in USA in the past, water contaminated with animal crap is used to water it when it's grown. I think the risks are pretty low though.

notahappybunny7 · 17/08/2023 07:18

BitOutOfPractice · 17/08/2023 07:08

This makes me laugh a bit. When I think of the terrible, crumbling, under invested state of our water system, I wonder why so many brits still think of modern EU nations like the third world.

And yet we all survive…
also, I’m not daft enough to think a salad in Greece will harm me.

eyeoresancerre · 17/08/2023 07:26

Ate a huge Greek salad every day on my recent holiday from a different restaurant/cafe each time. Never got ill. I did get a bit addicted to the olives though - delicious.

whatyoucanthave · 17/08/2023 07:28

All of the EU has safe tap water - you will be fine.

Peony654 · 17/08/2023 07:31

Surely this is a joke??

AtomicBlondeRose · 17/08/2023 07:38

Why are people making fun? OP has acknowledged this is something that used to be true, so it’s not some far-fetched idea. People definitely used to be told not to eat salad or washed fruit on holiday.

TreesandFish · 17/08/2023 07:40

I just came back from Crete. I Frank tap water and ate salad. No issues at all!

You are thinking of India or Nepal, where European do have issues with their water.

Campervangirl · 17/08/2023 07:41

I go to Rhodes twice a year, the water is safe but the mineral content is higher which could upset your tummy.
I clean my teeth with the tap water.
I eat salads, have ice in my drinks etc.
I wouldn't drink a glass of it because it doesn't taste as nice as bottled water

helpfulperson · 17/08/2023 07:41

Definitely used to be recommended to avoid. I think as mentioned above all EU tap water is now safe to drink so all rinsing of salads is OK. I'd still be cautious in areas where tap water isn't drinking water.

happystory · 17/08/2023 07:43

Mmm, a Greek salad for lunch the sea with a glass of wine; bliss!

Thighdentitycrisis · 17/08/2023 07:43

I got the runs after eating salad in Greece, I put it down to the water. Can happen

indyocean · 17/08/2023 07:52

Whaaat?

Newgolddream70 · 17/08/2023 07:52

Greek salads are the best. I love their tomatoes and olives yum 😋 I think you will be fine, OP. Have a wonderful holiday, I am so envious!

primoseyellow · 17/08/2023 07:52

@TreesandFish its nothing to do with tap water/hotel hygiene. It will be E coli on the lettuce which comes from animal shit in the soil and water used to grow it.

Low risk, but there have been outbreaks in America where several children and elderly have died.

primoseyellow · 17/08/2023 07:55

@Peony654 It is a very low risk, but E coli can be very serious in babies, children and elderly leading to organ failure and death.

yogasaurus · 17/08/2023 07:56

Christ.

Gnomegnomegnome · 17/08/2023 07:58

While it definitely used to be a no no it’s much better now. I live on salad abroad.