Travel - Safety

The morning sun was just beginning to hit the stalls of the local market in Mexico City when Elena reached for a vibrant, perfectly ripe mango. She had been traveling for three weeks, and while her Instagram was full of stunning cathedral shots, her stomach had its own story to tell. The Hidden Passengers

: She ordered her drinks without ice, knowing that freezing doesn't kill most waterborne bacteria. Packing for the Flight TRAVEL SAFETY

: Even though the greens looked fresh, she avoided raw salads and cut-up fruit platters that might have been washed in unsafe local water. The morning sun was just beginning to hit

: She even made sure her hiking boots were clean of any farm soil, which can harbor highly contagious animal diseases like foot-and-mouth. Packing for the Flight : Even though the

She decided to enjoy the fruit right there in the plaza, knowing that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the airport would likely seize any fresh produce she tried to pack. Even often face strict regulations to prevent the spread of diseases. The Traveler’s Golden Rule

Later that day, while packing for her flight to California, Elena double-checked her bags. She knew that bringing prohibited items—even by accident—could lead to for a first-time offense.

As she ate, she followed the simple health mantra she’d memorized: . To stay safe from "traveler's diarrhea," she followed these steps: