Taking food into the EU

[Puddleduck]

Lots of gluten free in the supermarket. And continental includes eggs , cold meats fruit etc

Not all processed cold meat is gluten-free - and you have to be very aware of the risks of cross contamination One of the reasons we bought our van was so that I could be sure to have a gluten free environment and be able to cook for myself. I do still make errors though - even after 60 years. I am a super-sensitive and have ended up in ICU a couple of times, once when I made an error and once when a restaurant lied to me. For me it is exactly 6 hours from when I am poisoned until I become ill.

So what the hell has that got to do with eating eg a selection of charcuterie, egg(s) and/or yoghurt? - all normally available throughout the world let alone just Northern Europe.

No nationality of Europe is forced to eat anything with gluten - coeliac disease is worldwide, same as diabetes though it's carbs, but there again many with diabetes are also coeliac.

Bacon is served with optional maple syrup at breakfast in the USA though!

I found several yogurts in Germany and Denmark contained gluten as a thickening agent. Eggs are naturally gluten free but one has to be careful about charcuterie. I tend to avoid unless it is marked as fully gluten-free. Anything marked as "Codex" may contain up to 20 ppm of gluten which is more than enough to make me ill as I react to less than 2 ppm (the lowest amount that could be reliably tested) - but as I said I am super-sensitive.

To be honest, it's often easier to get Vegan or Vegetarian than gluten free. Not saying that you can't get gluten free, but it depends where you are & what is available & how deep your pockets are! . Getting fresh gluten free bread is not easy. We tend to carry a good supply of GF staples as we're often away for a long time. One of best countries to be switched on with gluten free is Italy. It's amazing and surprising how many foods contain gluten that you wouldn't expect to.

If a vegan or vegetarian eats something that contains something of animal origin they are unlikely to be seriously ill and may not even be aware. If a coeliac eats gluten then it could mean a hospital stay. Many businesses are unwilling to take any risk and leave themselves open to litigation.

Like you Oscar we also carry an "emergency pack" or two of basics whilst hoping to be able to buy fresh fruit, veg and meat. Bread can be an issue even in the UK. Some areas have a much higher incidence of coeliac than others and demand will always drive supply. I was in a place that will remain nameless and was looking for something to eat ..... a cafe had a sign in the window "Gluten Aware". "Great" I thought, went in and asked "We are aware we can't do gluten free" was the response I got when I asked. That was in the UK.

In built-up areas with the main supermarkets yes, there is a decent choice, but no so much if you're in the smaller villages. We're not complaining, it's just how it is. You have to plan ahead when shopping for gluten free items in the UK. You still have to pay 3 or 4 times the cost of non gluten free items, day in, day out. On the plus side, gluten free beer is very good value in Spain in supermarkets!

Gluten-free will always cost more because of the limited demand and also the much higher costs of production.

Like Oscar I am not complaining as it is what it is.

It would be nice to have a tax allowances that other places such as the USA and Eire have though.

I found that both NI and Eire were great for gluten-free and even Aldi and Lidl had a really good selection including black and white pudding.

At our local farmer's market there was a woman selling "gluten-free" baked goods. When I asked she was totally unaware that she needed to use equipment that had never been used for gluten containing products and that she should also label items as "made in a facility that also handles gluten". She though it was just a matter of following a different recipe. She was also unaware of the codex regulations and the testing that should have been done. I felt really mean telling her she was breaking various regulations I know that more than one major company has been heavily fined for similar breaches.

Mercadona here has always had a huge range of gluten free products in the 19 years we've been here. same price as well.
Owner had children with allergies so instructed his food technologists & byers that there had to be equivalents across the product range.


I've never noticed price differences here?
In smaller village shops & supermarkets anything meat based from " El Pozo" will be gluten free .

Good to know.

Yes we agree we find Spain the easiest to facilitate a gluten free diet, which is one of the reasons we tend to gravitate towards Spain. But, whichever country we shop in, its easier & cheaper to buy staple foods which are gluten containing. Unfortunately it's not a choice, and, as we've said previously, we're not complaining, it is what it is

North Western Spain is great for gluten-free as are parts of Portugal. If the Norse had a significant presence in an area there is likely to be a higher incidence of coeliac disease.

I've been told that Australia and New Zealand are "easy" for coeliacs, probably because of the Irish and Scots diaspora.

Surely you're not advocating mugging a pensioner!


There are exceptions for food required for medical reasons I believe ... I know I read it somewhere so best to check that out as you may be able to take stuff with you anyway.

I had a single trip certificate issued by the US Embassy allowing me to take a limited amount of specified sealed items into the USA. I think it was a single pack of Schar cream crackers and one box of Mesa Sunrise Cereal.

 

[Vipar]

Can anyone explain why we can’t take milk into the EU? What danger/risk is it?

 

[Clipgate]

A comment was made about independence, not quite what it may seem when you interrogate carefully.

 

[Littlewheels]

I have never found Extra Mature Cheddar freely available in France or Spain, and I've looked.

It may be found in the odd 'specialist in UK food' stores I suppose.

I purchased some Mature Cheddar on the market in Amboise a few months back and it was outstanding in both texture and flavour and cut from a large block.

 

[Oscar]

I have never found Extra Mature Cheddar freely available in France or Spain, and I've looked.

It may be found in the odd 'specialist in UK food' stores I suppose.

Aldi in Spain sell Mature Cheddar and Vintage Cheddar.

Photo of the Mature Cheddar. The vintage one has a blue cow!View attachment 451861

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[Rapido925M]

Can anyone explain why we can’t take milk into the EU? What danger/risk is it?

It's not particularly about the risk: it's about the rules.

The UK voted to leave the EU and not be part of the rules. Therefore ANYTHING which doesn't comply with their rules isn't allowed to enter: simples.

We don't allow them to drive on the right hand side of the road, just because they do it at home (OK, there is a risk involved).
We will not allow them to come and live here just because they want to (how much risk does that involve?)
We will not allow their young people to come and study here in return for our students going to university there (what risk does that involve?)

We chose to leave: now we have to live with all of the consequences, including some which we might find onerous.

Gordon

 

[Vipar]

Thanks I assumed that it was to do with contamination control.
I watch too much oz boarder control

Got to get my thinking cap on can’t drink a cuppa without milk.

Easy, fill my flask with tea, drink before getting on ferry, then buy their milk a.s.a.p

 

[Minxy]

The problem with the current food 'rules' is that they were put in place for countries that may have risks if they take food into the EU that don't exist there, however the UK hasn't had this issue previously due to the 'free movement' agreement for most items so hopefully there'll be a different set of rules for UK travellers 'negotiated' afterwards - I believe the UK govt are still pushing for Part 1 status which will make it more sensible as at present we really don't fall into either group.

 

[Jim]

The problem with the current food 'rules' is that they were put in place for countries that may have risks if they take food into the EU that don't exist there, however the UK hasn't had this issue previously due to the 'free movement' agreement for most items so hopefully there'll be a different set of rules for UK travellers 'negotiated' afterwards - I believe the UK govt are still pushing for Part 1 status which will make it more sensible as at present we really don't fall into either group.

I imagine, if the UK is doing OK, in 5 years time when Brexit is not an open sore either side of the channel, we'll be in a good position to swap more fish for things like this.

 

[mitzimad]

oz and nz are different they have their own eco systems where as ours and france are very similar so realy this is unnecessary i doubt it will be policed to any great degree weve got thousands of birds crossing the borders every day bringing seeds and bugs with them

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[mitzimad]

a lot of dairy products here come from france do you think that will stop on friday best stock up on yougurt

 

[ChrisL]

I've just read the following in the Daily Mail so not sure how accurate it is but.


"EU rules mean that after December 31 so-called 'chilled meat preparations', a category which includes raw sausages, will be prohibited from entering the bloc.

Chilled minced meat - both red meat and poultry - will also be prohibited but it is thought frozen products will still be allowed. "

and

"The guidance states: 'EU rules mean you will not be able to export the following goods to the EU: chilled minced meat (red meat), chilled meat preparations (for example, raw sausages), minced meat (poultry), poultry and ratite or game bird mechanically separated meat, raw milk from TB herds, ungraded eggs, composite products containing dairy products made from unpasteurised milk (for example, a ready meal topped with unpasteurised cheese)."

So as I said it came from the Mail, not the most reliable source but you never know.

 

[Rapido925M]

oz and nz are different they have their own eco systems where as ours and france are very similar so realy this is unnecessary i doubt it will be policed to any great degree weve got thousands of birds crossing the borders every day bringing seeds and bugs with them

If I was Monsieur Plod, who would I suspect of trying to bring these things into my country, as they start their holiday?

A family-sized saloon full with adults, kids and suitcases or a couple in a motorhome with a fridge?

And if you're caught smuggling something, is it unreasonable to suspect that you might be smuggling other things as well? All those lovely storage lockers!

Enjoy - Gordon

 

[Grumpyfrog]

Would tinned meat based dog food be confiscated?

 

[rangi]

Advice? Don't! they are still childishly! packing a big sad!

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[DBK]

Would tinned meat based dog food be confiscated?

Yes.

 

[Oscar]

Weve read you can take marmite (vegan) but not bovril which is meat based

 

[L' Hobo]

I doubt, after the first few months, that there will be a problem BUT I suppose IF you come across a French supporting plod that wants to help his countries sales, then your British food will be confiscated.
(It, might, also if you encounter a hungry one and you have something tasty in your cupboard )

 

[Steve Martin]

I hope they don't check my fridge for food products..

 

[Reallyretired]

Agree! But no proper sausages though!

You can't buy the cereal filled gristle tube anywhere but the UK.

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[L' Hobo]

I hope they don't check my fridge for food products..
View attachment 457033

Never mind at customs, I'll start on the UK rally/show fields and I'm not even a plod!

 

[Peter and Julie]

You can't buy the cereal filled gristle tube anywhere but the UK.

I'll have you know my tubes full of meat! No gnarly bits of gristle!

 

[busby]

Supermarkets in France carry a good range of plant based foods and have for many years, together with soya milk. Gluten free range of food is also expanding in France and Spain, although I would not worry about taking certain food, until we know the details.

Hope they sell proper food also BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Can anyone explain why we can’t take milk into the EU? What danger/risk is it?

Especially as we import milk from Europe,,BUSBY.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I've been reading the topics discussing how to get apparently essential products like British tea, bacon and cheese into Europe. The entirely predictable changes in the rules are a bit of a nuisance, but I intend to stick to them. However, I see a few people debating how best to get stuff past the customs checks. It will be frustrating to find that motorhomes are routinely pulled out of the queues and delayed more than necessary at the borders because it's become apparent that their owners are likely to have contraband tucked away amongst the towels or in the underfloor compartments. So let's just suck it up, eh?

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[autorouter]

Especially as we import milk from Europe,

We can also import milk from anywhere else in the world, if we want. So there's no way of knowing that any random milk or meat item meets the EU standards. So no imports of any kind into the EU unless it has the appropriate paperwork to cover it. That's what we voted for democratically in 2016. You complaining?

 

[L' Hobo]

We can also import milk from anywhere else in the world, if we want. So there's no way of knowing that any random milk or meat item meets the EU standards. So no imports of any kind into the EU unless it has the appropriate paperwork to cover it. That's what we voted for democratically in 2016. You complaining?

Do we really import milk from other places OUTSIDE the EU, Why!

 

[autorouter]

Do we really import milk from other places OUTSIDE the EU, Why!

The point is that we can, not that we actually do so yet. The EU have no way of knowing whether we do or we don't.

 

[busby]

We can also import milk from anywhere else in the world, if we want. So there's no way of knowing that any random milk or meat item meets the EU standards. So no imports of any kind into the EU unless it has the appropriate paperwork to cover it. That's what we voted for democratically in 2016. You complaining?

Not complaining ,,,stating a fact,,,BUSBY..

 

[Dorset Diver]

Can anyone explain why we can’t take milk into the EU? What danger/risk is it?

A significant quantity of milk sold here comes from over there. Perhaps they don't want to risk getting the rubbish they send to us returned .

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