Dairy and meat to France (3 Viewers)

[Molly A]

Crispy ... maybe for a few minutes when they first come out of the oven ... The ingredients may be dictated by French law but it must create a lot of wastage.

We find that wrapping them in cling film keeps them from drying out so they tend to be edible for longer although we often cut them to sandwich size and warm them in our 'Happycall' pan (yes it really is called that! ) for lunch or toast them for breakfast.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happycall-Nonstick-Omelette-Dishwasher-PFOA-Free/dp/B006W9P882?tag=mhf04-21

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I don't think my teeth would stand eating THAT much bread every day! I would prefer my teeth to last till I kick the bucket and not be 'abused' by a wooden baguette.

Well given the shelf life of British packed loaves I'm pretty sure you could fill your van with them and they would still be fine three months later...

 

[Joethejoiner]

Because they eat it the same day and buy fresh. Personally prefer not to have foods stuffed with preservatives, which could well outlive me!

I was being sarcastic Molly.
It seems we are so used to engineered food that we complain about good food like French bread

 

[Suenliam]

Bagettes may have a shelf life of hours, but good French sourdough loaves last ages and have, to my way of thinking, a taste unlike the soggy cardboard slsiced loaves bought in Britain.
I must confess our routes in France are usually determined by the location of "good" boulangeries
Sue

 

[Lenny HB]

When we returned through Newhaven last March, we were asked by a MAFF official in the customs shed if we were bringing any meat or meat products back into the UK. We said we were’nt and he waived us on. Actually we had lamb chops, onion pate, plus some cooked ham in the fridge/freezer.

We had that last year as well rather that have an argument just said no even though there was quite a lot in the fridge & freezer.
Obviously didn't know his job as you are allowed to bring quite a few kilos of meat back into the UK.

 

[Molly A]

I was being sarcastic Molly.
It seems we are so used to engineered food that we complain about good food like French bread

Yes, we are indeed, Joe and personally there is no British food that I miss on our eight months away each year except proper bacon . I have now resolved this by buying bacon curing ingredients and buying local good quality pork to make back bacon and streaky. Now my travelling foody needs are compete!

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[meanders]

Yes can't for the life of me understand why French bread has such a short shelf life !
What is French for preservatives?

Love French bread. Do as they do and buy twice daily.

 

[Joethejoiner]

Yes, we are indeed, Joe and personally there is no British food that I miss on our eight months away each year except proper bacon . I have now resolved this by buying bacon curing ingredients and buying local good quality pork to make back bacon and streaky. Now my travelling foody needs are compete!

You are right about the bacon .
Think I'll just follow you around EU, occasionally gas you and steal your bacon

 

[Widge]

Yes, we are indeed, Joe and personally there is no British food that I miss on our eight months away each year except proper bacon . I have now resolved this by buying bacon curing ingredients and buying local good quality pork to make back bacon and streaky. Now my travelling foody needs are compete!

Occasionally NOZ has packs of frozen bacon, but it is,a bit random whether they have it or not, like everything they have, it depends what products other shops have destocked.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I think food & drink tastes better abroad because you're on your hols... and it's different.

As to filling your fridge going across the channel - do it.
If it's confiscated, so be it
It would only go off in your own home fridge

 

[Molly A]

You are right about the bacon .
Think I'll just follow you around EU, occasionally gas you and steal your bacon

You can try....

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[Molly A]

Bagettes may have a shelf life of hours, but good French sourdough loaves last ages and have, to my way of thinking, a taste unlike the soggy cardboard slsiced loaves bought in Britain.
I must confess our routes in France are usually determined by the location of "good" boulangeries
Sue

You are right , good french boulangerie bread is very different to the supermarket offerings. A nice crunchy boule or a sourdough is a thing of beauty. Oh, and the country loaves baked with bacon lardons! Slather on the good french butter and there's breakfast!

 

[dunnah01]

I tried really hard not to pick up a pain traditionnel each morning in France over the past few weeks - failed miserably

 

[Wanders from Glos]

As an aside we travelled to Spain yesterday on the ferry. Spanish customs were pulling over motorhomes randomly and checking them. They had two large green bins for throwing away food.

 

[Mick and Ruth]

Cross several times a year via tunnel and never checked what was in fridge. I have been “searched” for illegals on French side in the fact they have opened the bathroom door and had a quick look.
We have a Labrador and always tell them we have a dog on board before they enter (she normally lies there and snores when people come in) and that seems to put them off.
We do take enough kibble she eats for the whole trip as she has a certain type not available in Europe.
We stock up on the other side as we are out normally 2-3 months at least so will be buying stuff over there anyhow.

 

[fishplug]

I'd echo most people's experiences.

As I'm sure we all know you're pretty much guaranteed to be stopped in a van (actually, I've never had a Motorhome but I would expect it's a similar experience?). I don't think I've ever been waved through - even in the days when the borders were open.

That said, it's always an attitude test set of questions, open up the back, have a perfunctory look, maybe ask about alcohol and tobacco and off you go.

I've never had anyone look in the fridge, but equally I don't usually have much if any meat or dairy in it when going abroad as part of going away for me is to buy the things you don't find over here. The French have incredible cheeses, the Italians do the best Charcuterie (in my opinion anyway!). The fridge will most likely be full of French cheese on the way back, but not on the way out!

The only time I've had a 'grilling' was when they used us as a training excercise for a new customs officer. She would ask a question and then walk back to the 'pack' of other officers, report my answers and check that they agreed with the follow up question she was going to ask and then she'd come back and ask it. This went on for a bit and then her boss obviously gave her the green light to let us through.

Even then they didn't check the fridge

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[Richard n Ann]

We took a couple of bricks of Asda mature cheddar with us better than any French stuff. Was just slicing the mouldy sides off it yesterday yum

Just found the Asda cheese again in the fridge! ... It's immortal! grated some up for tonight's jacket potato and it lives to fight another day. Asda mature I salute you

 

[varaizian]

Cross several times a year via tunnel and never checked what was in fridge. I have been “searched” for illegals on French side in the fact they have opened the bathroom door and had a quick look.
We have a Labrador and always tell them we have a dog on board before they enter (she normally lies there and snores when people come in) and that seems to put them off.
We do take enough kibble she eats for the whole trip as she has a certain type not available in Europe.
We stock up on the other side as we are out normally 2-3 months at least so will be buying stuff over there anyhow.

Our previous dog was both deaf and blind. The asked us to take her out while their sniffer dog went in to check. She went mad back in van looking for the stranger!