OK, by now you’ve probably heard the mantra about eating food on the road: boil it, peel it, or forget it.

But what about situations when that’s NOT an option?

Here’s what you need to know…

Say you grab a piece of fruit, but don’t have a place to wash it…

A product called Eat Cleaner is a portable wipe for fruits and vegetables. It’s natural and tasteless, so you can clean the surface of produce without requiring water.

If you want the quality of bottled water without the expense, look into portable stainless steel water bottles with built-in filters.

Companies like Water Geeks and EcoUsable both make these types of containers.

Now I’ll warn you, these bottles are not a substitute for sanitizing unclean water, but they are good for filtering out chlorine and hard minerals.

But if you’re not sure about the water, stick to regular bottles, and remember: ice also can be contaminated.

If you’re packing snacks, keep in mind that bacteria can grow at astonishing rates.

Anywhere between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit is known as the “hot zone” for bacteria growth.

If you accidentally leave food items in the hot zone for more than two hours, toss ’em.

Get more ideas for eating on the road in our Culinary Travel section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.