Traveling across the USA with children can make for the trip of a lifetime, but it’s always a good idea to take a few basic precautions when it comes to eating. Kids are often more sensitive to stomach bugs than adults – especially when they’re eating food and drinking water from an unfamiliar ecosystem – and it can be surprisingly easy to get dehydrated when traveling. A little planning can help parents choose safer foods, store snacks properly, and respond quickly if someone gets sick.
First, Review Current and Common Food Safety Risks
Before you leave, take a few minutes to review common food safety risks in the states you plan to visit. The CDC, local health departments, and food producers often publish outbreak updates, especially during warmer months when fresh produce is widely consumed. For example, you can find information regarding Cyclospora here. Checking trusted sources can help you to avoid affected foods and make better decisions on the road.
Pack Smart Snacks and Supplies
Bring shelf-stable snacks that travel well, such as crackers, granola bars, nut butter packets, dried fruit, applesauce pouches, and sealed cereal cups. If you pack perishable foods like cheese sticks, yogurt, deli meat, or cut fruit, use an insulated cooler with enough ice packs to keep food at or below 40°F.
A food thermometer can be very useful if you plan to cook during your trip, especially at vacation rentals or campsites. Also pack hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, resealable bags, paper towels, and a few disposable utensils. These small items can make a big difference if rest stop bathrooms are crowded or sinks are unavailable.
Check Restaurants Before You Eat
When choosing a restaurant, look beyond reviews about taste and service. Many city and county health departments post inspection scores online. Search the restaurant name along with “health inspection” and the city or county. Some areas use letter grades, while others list violations and inspection dates.
At the restaurant, trust your senses. Avoid places with dirty tables, overflowing trash, strong, unpleasant odors, or staff who handle food and money without changing gloves or washing hands. Food should arrive hot if it is supposed to be hot, and cold foods like salads, milk, and cut fruit should be properly chilled.
Be Careful With Buffets and Salad Bars
Buffets can be convenient for families, but they do require extra caution. Hot foods should be steaming and held at 140°F or warmer, while cold foods should be kept at 40°F or colder. If food looks dried out, lukewarm, or as if it has been sitting for a long time, choose something else. And be wary of buffets without sneeze guards!
Teach children not to touch serving utensils to their plates or hands. Avoid trays where many people have reached over the food, or where utensils have fallen into the dishes. For younger kids, parents should serve the food to reduce touching and spills.
Handle Hotel Breakfasts Safely
Free hotel breakfasts are popular with families, but their quality and cleanliness vary. For optimum safety, choose foods that are individually wrapped or freshly prepared, such as sealed yogurt, whole fruit, packaged muffins, or hot eggs that are being frequently replenished.
Be cautious with milk, cream cheese, cut melon, or eggs that are sitting out without proper cooling or warming. If you are unsure how long something has been out, it is safer to skip it. Always wash fruit with clean running water when possible, even if you plan to peel it.
Watch Out for Risky Foods
Some foods are more likely to cause illness if mishandled. Be particularly careful with undercooked burgers, raw oysters, unpasteurized milk or juice, runny eggs, deli salads, sprouts, and pre-cut produce. Children, pregnant travelers, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid high-risk foods whenever possible.
When ordering meat, ask for it to be cooked thoroughly. Ground beef should not be pink in the center. Chicken should be fully cooked, with clear juices and no soft or rubbery texture. If something seems undercooked, send it back.
Keep Hands and Surfaces Clean
Handwashing is one of the simplest ways to prevent illness. Have everyone wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, touching animals, or visiting playgrounds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
In hotel rooms, wipe down tables, remote controls, refrigerator handles, and counters before preparing snacks. If using a rental kitchen, wash cutting boards, utensils, and dishes before use, even if they appear clean.
Know What to Do if Your Child Gets Sick
If your child develops diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or stomach cramps, focus on hydration. Offer small sips of water or oral rehydration solution. Avoid giving anti-diarrhea medicine unless a doctor recommends it.
Seek medical care quickly if your child has signs of dehydration, bloody diarrhea, a high fever, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms lasting more than a couple of days. Save receipts or packaging from recently eaten foods, as this information may help health officials if an outbreak is suspected.
Final Travel Tip
Food safety does not have to make travel stressful. By checking restaurants, keeping food cold, avoiding risky items, and practicing good hygiene, parents can help keep family trips healthier and more enjoyable.