Brits Abroad Show Lack Of Taste For Foreign Food

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 15, 2007 -
British holidaymakers are shunning local cuisine because of fears that it will bring on a bout of food poisoning, according to research by Churchill Travel Insurance.

Rather than risk precious days holed up in a hotel room with a dodgy stomach, the research reveals that Brits are opting to stick to eating what they know best. Almost a third (30 %) admitted to giving local food a wide berth while on holiday last year whereas a whopping 56 % confessed to kick-starting lazy days on the beach with a good old English fry up.

The main reasons Brits shun local food:
1. Fear of getting ill/developing food poisoning (21 %)
2. Fear of not liking the food when it arrives (21 %)
3. Uncertainty over the ingredients (20 %)
4. An inability to understand the menu (10 %)
5. A desire to eat favourite foods while on holiday (5 %)

In fact, the research shows that British holiday-makers are more inclined to stuff their cases with home favourites such as marmite and tea bags than try the local dishes.

In spite of British holiday-makers’ cautious approach to food, the research has uncovered that just two percent of British holidaymakers actually went down with food poisoning last year. This rises to a quarter (25 %) who said they have experienced it at some point in the past whilst on holiday.

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Churchill Travel Insurance (http://www.churchill.com/travel/travel_getquote.htm), said: "Our research shows that only an unlucky few are struck down by food poisoning while away. So, instead of steering clear of local delicacies, make sure you've got travel insurance (http://www.churchill.com/travel/travel_getquote.htm) in place to cover you should the worst happen and then get out there and eat whatever you like."

Churchill offers the following tips for holiday-makers worried about getting food poisoning:
•   Use bottled or sterilised water, even when you’re cleaning your teeth
•   Avoid ice cubes in drinks
•   Eat fresh, thoroughly cooked food, served piping hot
•   Avoid salads as they could have been washed in contaminated water
•   Buy ice cream from a reputable seller e.g. make sure it is wrapped and kept in a freezer
•   Be careful with shellfish and un-pasteurised dairy products (e.g. cheese and ice cream)
•   If you think you have food poisoning, drink plenty of water to re-hydrate, contact the doctor and your travel insurance (http://www.churchill.com/travel/travel_getquote.htm) company as soon as is practically possible
•   Remember to take your EHIC with you if you are travelling abroad in Europe – when EHIC has been used and Churchill has been able to recover at least 75% of the costs paid, the policy-holder will not need to pay the excess on their claim.


For more information please contact:
Abi Clark  
Churchill Insurance  
020 8313 5830     
pressoffice@churchill.com        

Rachel O’Hare / Lisa Stanley
Lansons Communications
020 7294 3692 / 3625
rachelo@lansons.com  / lisas@lansons.com