In Reply to: The ONLY rule that works is... posted by MargaritaMan on Sunday, 9. December 2007 at 23:55 Bali Time:
a stomach sensetivity doesn't start when someone walks off the plane at Ngurah Rai Airport, and someone who suffers the condition would be at nearly as much risk at home as in Bali.
I suggest that MOST of the food served in Bali is not covered in bacteria, and I believe that people's belief that food served by the larger "eateries" is much cleaner and safer than the rest is unfounded. Larger businesses have room and facilities for storing food for longer periods and, I and many others would suggest, re-hash food as a regular practise.
I haven't seen all the ice delivery vehicles but considering the speed that ice melts in the heat here all the trucks I have seen are enclosed and probably even insulated so they are not trucking around water. Also, the flies seem to have learnt that food is far, far more appetising (and not as uncomfortable) than ice.
Lastly, having worked in the hospitality industry for most of my life I can attest to the fact that "bare-handed" (but, thankfully or unfortunately, rarely bare-chested) people commonly handle food and drinks and ice in your own country, be they cooks, the kitchen-hand who has just passed a stack of plates and cuttlery, waiters, wives, husbands or the kids.
So, please be just as carefull as you would at home. As friends of mine often comment after holidaying here... the best food is from where the locals eat. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE and experience Bali.