Taking food abroad?

[HighFlyer]

Does anyone know the exact regulations for this?

We have a villa next year in Florida (first time) so plan to take some home favourites. I know that you cant take meat or dairy but i wonder what else?

We were thinking of taking a few packs of vegi-burgers, what about those? They have no meat or dairy products in them but they are still fresh foods. I know that dried stuff would likely be ok, but im not sure about fresh foods. This is all for personal consumption and would only be a few packets of things we couldnt get out there.

Anyone with experience of taking some food with them, let me know!

[Nottingham Nick]

Fruit is a 'no no' and I know they have been funny about some prescription medecines.

This website should help

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import/

It is certainly better to be safe than sorry.

Nick

Don't try taking in any food, dried or fresh, meat or fruit, not even a bag of crisps they don't like any of it and are rather nasty if they find anything at all.

You do nOT need to take any food with you!
All the types of foods you eat over here are available in the standard supermarkets. Plus if you for some reason need to eat British named foods, a lot of these are available again in the standard supermarkets, or there are specialist British foodstuff stores available.
But you really do not need to take any food with you. 100% of the restaraunts have Vegie options much better (so i am told) than any UK restaraunt.

[HighFlyer]

Nick, thanks for the link, most helpful.

I must say that i do have to disagree with many of the other points raised. I travel extensively and do not find certain things abroad, such as Quorn or Linda Mcartney products and therefore the reason for bringing them to MCO. The resteraunts certainly do not provide these things and vegetarian options are rather limited. I guess its easy for a non-veggie to not see this. Most of the veggie dishes are pasta, which is quite boring for 14 nights.

I have often come back from trips desperate for my favourite dishes as i have missed them while being away. I guess some people are more fussy than others when it comes to food. There is nothing like the food you get at home.

We will certainly try taking some food, the customs website states that most food is permissable, only things that i knew were not allowed such as meat, fruit and some dairy. Im just not sure whether to declare it or not?

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Im just not sure whether to declare it or not?

I note the smiley, but be VERY careful - DO NOT mess with immigration or customs people in the US (or anywhere else for that matter).

They are not renowned for their humour and are very powerful people.

The problem with any foodstuffs can be the smell. Smells get the sniffer dogs going - if the sniffer dogs like your case, all sorts of problems can follow[:0][:0]


Nick

Hi Highflyer,
I don't know if any of these are good for you,
Emerils have on their web site
Grilled and Roasted Vegetable Plate served with Wild & Exotic Mushroom Bread Pudding, Grilled Assorted Vegetables, Confit Portobello Mushroom, Roasted Garlic & Sweet Corn and a Drizzle of Herb Oil

Dennys have on theirs http://www.dennys.com/menu/FitFare.asp
meatless combination of soy, spices and cheese. Topped with tomato, onions, pickles and lettuce on a sesame seed bun and served with small fruit bowl.

Kobe at http://www.kobesteakhouse.com/kobevegan.html
has a some choices

Ponderosa has quite a few buffet items
http://www.orlando-ponderosa.com/pages/Menu.htm

Romanos macaroni Grille
http://www.macaronigrill.com/menu/defau ... ner&menu=1

Would any of those help?

Also have a look at the supermarket Goodings
http://www.goodings.com/

Sorry I missed out Publix at
http://www.publix.com/Home.do

Yep, definately not worth the risk of taking food to the US in my opinion. They are mega mega strict on it. You even have to register with the FDA to send food to the US (even sweets and chocolate).

I gotta say that I've not had a problem bringing in chocolate - always marked it down on the customs form as "confectionary"

Cheers

Michael

Me neither. I wasnt aware of the new guidelines until I tried to post some sweets a month ago....

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/cont ... Id=9300075

If you want a laugh, goto the FDA site and see if you can work it out! When I tried to register my package they wanted to know the date and time and local port it would be arriving at.... like I would know!

Apparantly it was mainly put in place as an anti-bioterrorism measure (worryingly home made confectionary does not require registration!).

Madness!

quote:Originally posted by jonathan020
If you want a laugh, goto the FDA site and see if you can work it out!

Nah, it's ok thanks - too much legalese for me Never tried sending any, just taken it along and figured it was best to be honest if questioned - no problems here

Cheers

Michael

[Pete]

I would have to agree with HighFlyer, being another Veggie myself - some places have a weird idea of what veggies like to eat (and I suspect part of that is down to local tastes).

Mind you, for and long time (and certainly still the case in many British 'Bistros') there was only one Veggie option, and that would appear to be all the vegetables kicking around the kitchen at the time chucked into either a stew, or roasted, or put in a pie. Normally uninspired and pretty bland.

Generally while abroad I head for the Italian restaurants. Normally a good selection of pastas or pizza, and whilst it can be a bit monotonous after a couple of weeks, it's usually better than the one dish lottery if you attempt to go anywhere unknown. Probably one of the reasons I'm particularly fond of the North End in Boston & North Beach in San Francisco - both teaming with excellent Italian eateries.

Pix

[HighFlyer]

Pix, i never knew! Maybe we can help serve each other when travelling with good resteraunt recommendations

Thanks AlanA, i do appreciate what you are trying to do, but i think that Pix has made my point entirely. While the places you mention are worth a visit (and i have actually been to most of them during my many trips to MCO) it doesnt change my mind from wanting to bring my own things though, there is something about having the things you know you will like. I couldnt see a single thing on the Ponderosa menu at all though, that is one place i have not gone to, but Denny's is a regular for us on holiday.

I might contact customs and see if they can give me clear guidelines on what to do and what rules should be followed.

Highflyer,

I'm being negative, but having had a bit of experience of this (trying to take some twiglets into the US) I'd suggest being very careful.

The Customs and Immigration people in the US are now very empowered (I'm being polite). Responding to a query with something you have printed out from the FDA website or quoting a telephone call you had with someone in the US embassy could well antagonise the situation. In essence you are saying you know their job better than they do.

This will not go down well, and could lead to a slightly extended stay at the airport.

Would love to be proved wrong.

VSlf

quote:I must say that i do have to disagree with many of the other points raised. I travel extensively

Then you will know what helpful chaps the us customs are:Dgood luck.

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
Then you will know what helpful chaps the us customs are:Dgood luck.

In some of my "former lives" I worked as a U.S. Customshouse Broker and I also practised law for 18 years with a legal specialty of "U.S. Customs and International Trade Law" ... the result is that my name is (and will permanently be) on some "flag list" for the folks at U.S. Customs.

The Customs Service really are helpful ... they also are, however, extremely serious about their jobs. Unfortunately many of them have, as a result, completely suppressed their normal "sense of humor."

Checking the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/ is an excellant idea before any visit to the U.S.

Have a wonderful visit to my country HighFlyer!

Palsgraf948
Jim McDonald

[HighFlyer]

Thanks Jim

I dont tend to find Customs too bad, and this is coming from someone who seems to always get chosen for the spot checks. I have been 'done' on my last 3 atlantic flights in a row. I guess that if you appreciate that its not personal and that they are only doing their jobs then they are ok with you. I have also gotten to appreciate that most Customs workers dont have a sense of humour while on duty so i try to just be polite with them.

I will look into this as im sure im not the only person wanting to take a small amount of food on holiday with them. I take it that worse case scenario is that i get it conviscated? (plus a delay at the airport)

I will certainly review all the info i can find about the matter