‘Boil it Cook it, Peel it or Forget it’: Does this Rule Prevent Travellers‘ Diarrhoea?

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Abstract
Kozicki M (Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland), Steffen R and Schär M. ‘Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it: Does this rule prevent travellers’ diarrhoea? International Journal of Epidemiology 1985. 14: 169‐172. A total of 688 out of 2240 air charter passengers in flight to Kenya, West Africa or Sri Lanka/Maldives volunteered to participate in a follow-up study investigating the influence of various food and beverage items on the incidence of travellers' diarrhoea. Within the first three days of their stay abroad, 98% accepted food or beverages whose avoidance is traditionally recommended. The incidence of diarrhoea, which was 19.5%, was proportionate to the number of dietary mistakes committed. The most dangerous items were those whose avoidance was traditionally recommended.