Travel Know It: Bringing Food From Europe To America

Your first inclination is obvious: “why do I need to worry about bringing food back from Europe? It’s not like I’m visiting any third-world countries it’ll be fine!” Indeed, that’s what many Americans think.

The reality is a little more complicated than judging the safety of food importation based on the GDP of the country of origin.

In 2007 alone U.S. customs officials seized 4,300 items from airline passengers and other visitors unaware of current regulations regarding the bringing of certain plant and animal products across the border.

Many of those seized items were European in origin, no doubt ranging in expense from a candy apple to a wheel of Brie. It’s important to know what you can bring back BEFORE you buy it.

The vacation in France or time spent in Italy almost always comes with the assumption that a bottle of wine can be brought back.

Wine, along with most liquor, is generally acceptable to bring back without incident, though travelers are limited to one liter each.

In general baked and processed goods are safe to bring back that includes most packaged chocolates and snack foods.

Jarred items, things that are pickled or preserved or overall lack the environment for dangerous pathogens to breed in are for the most part acceptable.

The government concerns itself primarily with making sure that dietary staples such as cheese, meat, and potatoes are not grown or processed in conditions that are drastically different than those under U.S. standards.

The higher the risk a product has for contamination IE the rawness or lack of proper packaging, the more likely officials are going to reject it.

That means most moist cheeses, cured meats, and the majority of raw produce.

In Europe these items can be tantalizing gifts for those back at home.

They can also be incredibly expensive.

You certainly want to make sure that you don’t purchase $100.00 worth of Hungarian salami only to be forced to throw it away when you enter customs.

It’s worth noting that you should never attempt to deceive customs officials. The penalties can fines as high as $10,000 depending on what you tried to sneak into the country.

When in doubt, consider the following: Before you depart, consult the USDA website on the issue.

Once you are in Europe, revisit the guidelines the government makes available to you before making a purchase.

Upon your return, if you suspect you may have brought back something that is illegal, make sure you make customs officials aware of the situation.

If you’ve set aside a fund for food to bring back, do the right research – it’ll save you money when you’re traveling and heartbreak when you return – enjoy Europe!

Guest Post By Brandy Olson.

(photo credits: Kent Wang - scubadive67 - NickNguyen)