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Imported Food
Summary
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Information on importing food for commercial or personal use.
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Commercial ImportsIf you import food commercially from another European Union state, this is officially not an import and will not be subject to inspection at the port. This is because there is free movement of goods within the EU and the same food safety standards are applied across all member states.
If you import food commercially from outside of the European Union (EU), you need to be aware of the legal requirements. Meat products, for example, can only be imported from a country approved to export that type of product to the European Union. In addition they must be accompanied by animal health and public health certification, come from EU-approved premises, and enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post where veterinary checks must be carried out. These controls are in place to protect human and animal health within the EU.
It is not just foods of animal origin that are controlled. Some plants and plant products are prohibited from entering this country. Others are restricted and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary ('plant health') certificate which is issued by the Plant Health Authority in the exporting country. These measures exist to prevent the introduction into, and spread within, the EU of serious pests and diseases of plants and plant produce (including fruit).
More information on control of imported foods is available on the Food Standards Agency's imported food web page.
Personal ImportsIf you wish to bring food back to the UK from another country for your personal consumption only, you need to be aware of what you are permitted to bring and in what quantity.
You can bring back a reasonable amount of any food from a country within the EU.
If you are travelling outside the EU, you can bring back a reasonable amount of foods not of animal origin. Meat, meat products, milk, and milk products generally may not be brought into the UK as personal imports from outside of the EU although there are a few exceptions. Up to 1kg each of fishery products, shellfish, eggs, egg products or honey is allowed for personal use from certain approved countries.
The general rule is ‘If in doubt, leave it out’. More information on personal imports can be found on the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affair's personal food and plant imports web page. |
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External links ...
Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Our aim is to reduce the risk of exotic animal diseases, plant pests and diseases entering the country and then threatening our public health, livestock, agriculture and horticultural industries and the environment. Personal food and plant imports web page
Eat well
The Food Standards Agency's consumer advice and information site, packed with reliable and practical advice about healthy eating, understanding food labels and how what we eat can affect our health. Eatwell website
Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency is an independent Government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food. Food Standards Agency website. Imported food web page.
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Last updated on: 12 August 2011 | Date of next review: 12 August 2012
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