Safety of drinking iced cordials from free Vesak Dansal stalls

As a Public Health Inspector, I advise tourists to be cautious. While the host families boil the water and use commercial tube ice, the massive barrels and the sheer volume of serving means cross-contamination can happen. Locals have strong stomachs for it. If you are a tourist with a sensitive stomach, stick to the hot food (rice, noodles, fried manioc) and politely decline the iced cordials.