Travellers warned on bringing back food products

People planning trips to destinations outside the EU, such as holidays to India, are being urged to think carefully about what souvenirs they bring back.

Travellers booking flights to Thailand are among those being targeted by a new government awareness campaign ‘Don’t bring it back’.

Defra has launched the scheme following research which found that 55 per cent of holidaymakers would like to be advised about food import rules by their travel agent or holiday representative.

Last year approximately 85 tonnes of illegal animal products were seized from travellers entering the UK.

Travel journalist Simon Calder is backing the campaign. He said: “It’s worrying that many people returning home from holiday are unaware of the EU rules on bringing food into the UK from countries outside the EU and the reasons behind them.”

Mr Calder is urging travellers to check the rules and save themselves embarrassment by inadvertently breaking the law.

For example, if you are returning from a holiday in India you can bring back curry powder and spices or Bombay mix, however, you are not allowed to bring Ghee or meat curries into the country.

Written by Anthony Nicholson