UK airport tells passengers these items are now ‘banned’

Holidaymakers have been warned not to pack the items in their bags

As countless Brits start to head off on their summer holidays soon, London Luton Airport issued a warning on social media for when travellers make their way back into Great Britain as some might be unknowingly bringing souvenirs and holiday gifts that are actually ‘illegal’ to have in their luggage.

The alert specifically warned against bringing four types of meat and meat-related products. These are restricted for travellers because of the risk that the products could hold contagious animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease which can survive in the meat and bones of deceased animals for long periods of time.

According to the official Government rules, travellers coming back from the EU cannot bring:

• cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages

When travelling back from the EU, you can bring some fish, poultry or other animal products like eggs or honey if it is for personal use. Powdered milk and special foods required for medical reasons may be allowed but under certain conditions, like being in unopened and branded packaging.

Travellers that break these rules and bring back banned food products can declare it to Border Force officers at customs who will take the items away to be destroyed.

If you don’t declare the banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000 in England or even potentially be prosecuted according to Government guidance.

Border Force officers are also allowed to take away your products if they believe:

• You’ve brought it into the country illegally
• You have too much of a restricted product
• It’s been cross-contaminated

The guidance adds: “If you’re not sure about any of the products you’re bringing in, speak to a Border Force officer in the ‘red channel’ at customs or on the red point phone.”

If you’re travelling to Great Britain from a country outside of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, or if you are landing in Northern Ireland, different rules apply.

However, you can bring any of the following items into Great Britain without restrictions:

• bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
• cakes without fresh cream
• biscuits
• chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
• pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
• packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
• processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
• food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules

A full list of other restricted and banned items stemming from different countries can be found on the Gov.uk website.