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Netherlands: Local drinks and tea

In the Netherlands, everyday drinks are tea, coffee, dairy drinks (karnemelk, chocomel) and tap water.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, tea on a windowsill.
Figure 1.Glass of tea — Netherlands: Local drinks and tea

01Short answer

Dutch tap water is strictly controlled and usually safe to drink; during neutropenia or after a transplant, follow your own team’s rule. Tea and coffee freshly made with boiling water are a good choice. Milk and karnemelk (buttermilk) should be pasteurised; do not drink raw farm milk (rauwe melk). Herbal teas can interact with medicines, and ask your team about alcohol.

02Simple explanation

Tap water: usually safe.

Tea: freshly made.

Milk: pasteurised only.

03Scientific explanation

Water: drinking-water quality in the Netherlands is regulated by law and tested regularly.

Milk: the FDA advises at-risk groups to avoid unpasteurised milk.

04What happens in the body?

Tea

Brew with boiling water and do not keep it long.

Water

Run the tap briefly and use a clean glass.

On a dark navy background, water into a glass.
Figure 2.Tap water — Netherlands: Local drinks and tea

Dairy drinks

Choose sealed pasteurised packs; drink soon after opening.

On a dark navy background, a sealed carton and glass.
Figure 3.Pasteurised milk — Netherlands: Local drinks and tea

05The drinks rule

Four steps.

Water — Enough of it.1WaterEnough of it.
Tea — Fresh and hot.2TeaFresh and hot.
Milk — Pasteurised.3MilkPasteurised.
Alcohol — Ask.4AlcoholAsk.
FluidsNo dehydration.
SafetyLower risk.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
TeaBrew with boiling water and do not keep it long.
WaterRun the tap briefly and use a clean glass.
Dairy drinksChoose sealed pasteurised packs; drink soon after opening.

07Key terms

Kraanwater
Tap water.
Karnemelk
Buttermilk.
Rauwe melk
Raw milk.
Kruidenthee
Herbal tea.

08Key points

  • Drink water through the day.
  • Make tea fresh.
  • No raw milk.
  • Finish opened packs quickly.
  • Ask about herbal tea.

09Frequently asked questions

Is tap water really safe?

Usually yes; during neutropenia follow your team’s rule.

Freshly squeezed juice?

Unpasteurised café juice can be risky; choose pasteurised.

Is coffee allowed?

Usually yes; discuss amounts with your team with your stomach and sleep in mind.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is tap water really safe?

  2. Freshly squeezed juice?

  3. Is coffee allowed?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  3. World Health Organization (WHO). Drinking-water — fact sheet
  4. Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre). Official website (in Dutch)
  5. Vewin (Association of Dutch drinking water companies). Official website
  6. National Projects of Russia (official portal). How the Dmitry Rogachev Center works (in Russian)
  7. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University. R.M. Gorbacheva Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation (in Russian)
  8. Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Order No. 875n of 2018: procedure for care requiring bone marrow and stem cell transplantation (in Russian)
  9. Ukrainian Center for Transplant Coordination. Bone marrow transplantation (in Ukrainian)
  10. Tartu University Hospital. Stem cell transplantation centre (in Estonian)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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