flying with food
 

Hi know from flying in and out of the Carribean and Hawaii that there are strict rules on what food, fruit, etc. that you cannot bring into the country.

We're flying to London from the US - is it any problem to pack stuff like peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, etc. in our checked luggage? No fruit or vegetables (obviously...would hate to see what they'd look like after flying so long in my suitcase).

Why even consider it? You can buy such things in the UK.

Hi K,

>is it any problem to pack stuff like peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, etc. in our checked luggage?<

Are you talking about enough to last for several weeks? If so, you can buy these goods in Europe.

((I))

OK - you want to use valuable luggage space for -- peanut butter and granoal bars??

Now if you wanted peanut butter/crackers to nibble on the flight - that might make sense. But there are supermarkets in the UK afterall . . . . .

there are also lots of rules about bringing food into the US, too, and not just Hawaii.

Padraig,

what brand of peanut butter would you recommend BTW????

Janis, please...not everybody stuffs their luggage with designer handbags like you do LOL.

Peanut butter, granola bars, crackers are indeed readily available in regular London supermarkets, unless you want Wheat Thins. It's one thing I miss from US and while I found them at a specialty grocery with other "American" foods such as pancake mix and box mac and cheese, they were 5 pounds for a box (US$10!).

Dukey, I have no recommendations on brands of peanut butter. I don't eat the stuff.

I don't know if the brands available in Britain are the same as in the US, but I think some of them are.

Your post reminded me of this you tube thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlGnaHWVLDA

(I know it is mean that they put Stupid in the title, but I still think it's funny.)

Dukey: I don't "stuff" my bags w/ anything, don't check bags at all, and don't take designer bags on most trips - my faithful old le Sport Sac goes on most trips . . . .

(I leave the good stuff at home)

Wow, I didn't know such a question would result in such responses. I wonder if some of you know how nasty you can sound? I know the written word is hard to interpret and it's very possible there was no nastiness intended.

We usually pack a box of granola bars, crackers and peanut butter so we at least have something for the boys to eat once we arrive.

I hope you know that I know there are supermarkets in Britain. But after being jetlagged and finding our way about, this way it won't be one of the first things we have to do.

And no, not enought to last several weeks. One box of granola bars, one box of crackers, one small jar of pb and a few ziploc bags and napkins is what we bring. Hardly "valuable luggage space".

Sigh.

Karens,

Maybe the key is to be more specific. Packing food could mean everything from enough for the airport to enough for a month. Lots of people discuss bringing tons of food with them on vacation, so people need a little more specificity.

as I clearly meant - a small amount for the flight/arrival makes some sense.

But you made it sound like you wanted to bring a lot and put it in your checked bags.

I'd never bring so much, it needed to be checked . . . . .

Karens - I was getting the same impression. Then again, it's the same group that jumps all over anyone asking a question they consider "gauche" or "bourgeois
". There is a pervasive snob faction on this board and it would really be nice if they had their own seperate little board to belittle those that aren't the jetsetters they seem to believe they are.

I would like tyo know the answer too. That "valuable" luggage space that food might occupy on the trip over can be filled with similar or nicer souvenirs on the return. If you were flying into any other airport in Europe I know you could bring in food in your checked bags as long as it isn't fruits or veggies and as long as the container isn't open. But the UK is much stricter. I would do a Google search - I'm betting that you can bring in your own snacks in your checked stuff. Most of the time Customs doesn't even look unless you act suspiciously. Besides, what could they object to? Someone bringing actual good food into England should be commended.

karens wrote: "I wonder if some of you know how nasty you can sound? I know the written word is hard to interpret and it's very possible there was no nastiness intended."

Was I nasty? It certainly was not my intention.

You have to bear in mind that people who ask questions here range from the very knowledgeable to the amazingly ill-informed, and that we who live in Europe are invited to deal with questions that reveal jaw-dropping ignorance of what things are like here.

Karens -

I have packed both my carry-on and checked baggage with items that you have mentioned, with no problem. I agree, its nice to have a healthy snack in your room upon arrival so that you don't have to venture out upon arrival AND don't have to pay the outrageous hotel fees for snacks that is only compounded by the ever-sinking dollar.

Enjoy your snacks and ignore the nasty remarks. It seems that some of these folks have nothing better to do than sit and criticize others for a "non" living. In my opinion, you come into this blog looking for positive advice and no question is too ignorant. I wonder what these folks are like in person?!

Hi Karens,

I don't think you'll have a problem with the food you want to pack. I have a friend who likes to bring snacks like, chips, granola bars, and even a bag of popcorn on board, so I doubt you'll have any trouble checking those items in. Also, I have friends who pack some of those microwavable Indian meals that come in a small sealed box when they return so if they don't have problems with those I doubt you'll have trouble with peanut butter and crackers.

Have a great trip!

I have a friend who lives in London who brings an empty suitcase with her to the states to fill with peanut butter (Jif), wheat thins, grits, Kraft mac and cheese, balance bars, and other such delicacies that she either can't get or can't afford in London.

I travel with protein bars to keep my husband happy between meals -- much easier and cheaper than having to stop and eat every time he gets hungry :-)

It's funny...I was just at the supermarket a few hours ago buying a few things for our trip to London next week. While of course there are lots of very nice supermarkets in London, I too like to bring a few items, esp for the kids. For one thing, I don't want to rush to a supermarket on arrival plus some brands are not available in London, esp the kinds of cereal my kids like. And to be honest, it's much cheaper here! Everything I take will stay in the apartment we are renting for the next tenant and thus I do not feel like I'm wasting any speace at all. After all, luggage space is premium only on the return journey! :)

To answer the main question, I believe if you want to be absolutely certain, a Google search is in order, as another poster suggested. Anecdotally, I have taken into London (not all at once!) the following items without incident: cereal, snack bars, tea (my fave brand), instant coffee, Nesquick (kind of instant cocoa drink), milk boxes (when kids were younger these were essential), and dried pasta/rice.

Enjoy your trip :)

I bring Oreo's back to me from the US to Switzerland. I am dying to try the limited edition strawberry milkshake ones. Also almond M&Ms for a coworker who discovered them on vacation a few years ago.

K,
A couple of years ago my folks went to visit my sister in Italy and brought 1 entire suitcase filled to the brim with "goodies" for their kids - double stuff oreos, cheerios, pop tarts etc. no problem at all - other than a few crushed cookies!

It's a great idea to have food available on your arrival. I'll have to remember that. Airport food is often lousy/expensive and when travelling with kids, when they are hungry nobody is having a good time!

I like to bring an extra suitcase whenever I visit Newcastle. Full of coals. I heard they don't have them there.

Thank you to those who responded to my question, and who validated my reaction to the intial replies.

Truly, what does it matter the amount of food? That wasn't my question. MikeT - do you really want to read a question like:

After doing an extensive research study of all prior threads here on fodors, I would like to know if I can bring one 12-pack box of granola bars, one 8 oz. jar of Jif peanut butter and 10 large freezer Ziploc bags through security without a problem. We are on flight 123 from JFK and arrive at Heathrow at 6:23am....

Some people jump to such conclusions based on a two sentence question and start making negative inferences on things that aren't even the issue at hand. I've had that happen to me here "in Europe" a lot.

ciaolaura - my initial reaction was also that I can't imagine living with someone so negative...

Padraig - I'm sure you do answer ignorant questions, but that's not reason to assume everyone is ignorant.

I guess some of you would be shocked to know that when we travel domestically to the western US we bring a cooler with us. We always used to stop in a grocery store or 7/11 and buy a cheap styrofoam cooler and then just throw it away. But one tirp we were in Walmart and found a "good" cooler on wheels was only $5 more, so we bought it, figured we'd bring it home and if it doesn't survive the flight, oh well.

That cooler has been on over half a dozen trips with us. After a long hot hike or a long day, it is wonderful to have a cold drink waiting for us in the car. We save money and time. We also use the cooler to store extra things on the way home if we start to exceed our luggage weight limit. Our last trip we put our hiking boots in there (wrapped in plastic bags).

Defensive much. Sheesh.

Well, I bring things like coffee, tea, sugar packs, some other kinds of snacks simply because I may not want to go or have time to go to a supermarket the first few days of a trip.

I agree Karens (and all of those other packrats like me), it is nice to have something to munch on.

Oh and as to the coffee thing, I like those little Folgers bag things. I also bring a 700 watt hotpot to cook stuff in, like coffee or cocoa. It doesn't take up any real room, as I pack it full of stuff like socks.

:-)

dave

Oh, I forgot though, I do pack mine in the regular luggage, so I don't know how P-Butter will do on the security thing on a carry on, but it would be interesting to find out.

dave

I think you are wise to have stocked up on non junk food to have ready on landing. Just a word of caution about peanut butter in the cabin of the plane. I understand they are quite fussy about that due to allergies these days.

I know someone is going to jump on me for this and say that I am overly cautious. However, in my last few years of teaching I ran across two students who were so allergic to peanuts that even being in the same room with them could send them into shock. (How the two different families wanted us to handle the situation--two very different approaches--is a whole other story and off topic here.)

However, you clearly say that p.b. will be inchecked luggage, so doubt if it will be a problem.

Have a great trip!

Karens- I always bring snacks in both my suitcase and carryon. You never know when you will be by a market and I have low blood sugar and need snacks. Last trip to Australia I had granola bars and peanut butter crackers in the boxes and loose and they went through security fine. Bringing food back can be more problematic. But you must try the European granola bars! I am not sure why but they are so much better than our major brands! Why? I haven't a clue. The boxed apple juice is outstanding too, if the boys like juices. Ignore the scarcasm here. It comes with the territory...The travel tips on this board are really, really good.