Why You May Want to Think Twice Before Asking for Lemon Water at a Restaurant

That innocent-looking lemon slice floating in your restaurant water may not be quite as clean as it appears.

In some restaurants, lemon wedges can be handled directly by staff and moved from cutting boards into drinking glasses without gloves or utensils. Studies referenced by ABC News and the Journal of Environmental Health have found microbial contamination on lemon wedges served in restaurants, including bacteria such as E. coli and indicators associated with human fecal contamination.

So, while that slice of lemon may look refreshing, it could potentially introduce unwanted germs into your drink before your meal even arrives.

When eating out, you can’t control every surface, utensil, or ingredient that comes into contact with your food. But you can make small choices about what you put in your glass.

One simple option is to ask for your water without lemon. Washing your hands thoroughly before eating is another easy way to reduce the spread of germs. And if you enjoy lemon water, preparing it yourself at home allows you to make sure the fruit, glass, and utensils are properly cleaned.

Sometimes, a simple request such as “Water, no lemon, please” can help eliminate one unnecessary source of potential contamination.