Don't bring back food from outside EU

Published on Sunday 18 October 2009 23:10

TRAVELLERS were yesterday urged not to bring back foodstuffs from outside the EU which could introduce diseases into the UK.

It is illegal to bring any meat or dairy products into the UK from countries outside the EU – it does not matter if they are vacuum packed, tinned or in a sealed packet.

There are also strict rules on certain other foods such as fish, shellfish and honey. The rules are in place because bringing items back to the UK can increase the risk of animal diseases such as foot and mouth and bird flu entering the country.

New research from Defra – the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs – has found that one in five Britons is unaware that restrictions exist on food items.