I'm taking a few students to Europe in June. One of them has asked whether she can take American food with her. Can she get through customs with chips, etc.?

My daughter-in-law, who has some dietary issues because of early stages of pregnancy, carried fruit, crackers and (get this) small pieces of cooked steak through customs in Italy without problems or questions.
Seems like chips would be a piece of cake (groan).

As her teacher, I'd gently discourage this unless she has a medical reason. Europe has wonderful food (this is definitely an understatement), and part of her learning experience will be to "step outside her box" and enjoy all Europe has to offer, food included.

I agree with Besty. It's one thing when someone has a real allergy to certain foods but when I read about anyone worried about bringing chips and/or other junk food on vacation seems like they've have some serious addictions to food.
On the other hand, she should rest assured that there is plenty of fattening food in Europe. Chips, pastries etc.

Yes you can bring packaged snack foods thru customs. But you might let her know they do have potato chips in Europe.

Even if you can't talk them out of junk food to try all the true delights of european offerings, maybe you can try to convince them that trying EUROPEAN junk food at least is part of their educational experience?

I was wondering how long this would go before the finger-wagging would start: "I'd gently discourage this unless she has a medical reason. Europe has wonderful food."

I thought the question was about bringing food through customs, not lifestyle choices. I can hardly wait till someone posts the question: "Can I get an abortion easily in Europe."

j_999, I challenge you to show me one single thread on Fodor's forum where every replies answers only the specific question(s) that is asked, without personal commentary. The beauty a conversation (which this is) is an exchange. Otherwise this thread would have one and only one reply...

"yes"

and we'd be done with it.

Thanks, Suze!

If you are using a student tour company, then yes, tell the students to bring some snacks. Many times with student tours, the students have skimpy breakfasts that aren't very filling. Usually at dinner there are no choices and nothing else nearby.

Many students are on a tight budget and can't afford to spend much. They have very little time to buy snacks and are usually in touristy areas where everything is expensive.

I would suggest a few packs of pb crackers (packed in a small study plastic container) and some of the koolaid/lemonade "sticks" that you can use to flavor a bottle of water. Each stick or tube will do one bottle of water and is much cheaper than soft drinks in Europe. They take up very little luggage space.

As someone who is frequently hungy at non-meal-times, I would encourage her to bring a few easily packable snacks, like crackers or health bars instead of chips which will be crushed in luggage.

I have heard that often the food on student trips isn't great or plentiful and snacks on hand will help the kids feel comfortable for the first few days. Then you can take them to a European grocery to replenish and experience European snacks.

Chips, yes. Etc., depends. I doubt very much she'd get through with fruit or meat products.

blueswimmer makes a good point... potato chips are not a very "packable" food unless you want to eat a bunch of crumbs. trail mix, candy bars, crackers, granola bars, all are more practical.

I'm not one for group tours, but I've been on a few with my church choir. In such cases I ALWAYS bring food...usually granola bars and cheese crackers. In a group, one cannot always eat when one wants or needs to. Also, we tended to have so little "free time" that I preferred to eat my snacks on the go while running around town, rather than spending the whole time at a restaurant.

Potato chip crumbs are quite useful for tuna casseroles.

I've traveled as chaperone with high school students. Yes tubes of Pringles are quite popular, and much cheaper here. However,
the flavors of European potato chips are quite interesting--prawn, chipotle.

suze, you can't be serious about there being "not one single thread" that doesn't contain personal commentary (your cheering section notwithstanding). Besides, there's a difference between "personal commentary" and being a busybody.

I maintain: The question was whether she can, not whether she should. Obviously, the OP was asking for legal opinion, not a value judgment.

You're just mad because no one laughed at your joke.

We leave for Paris on May 22, and I was planning on bringing a jar of peanut butter and a box of saltines.

By the way, how expensive is soda there? Do they have Dr. Pepper? I don't mean to sound ignorant, but I don't know what to expect. My husband drinks about 4 cans of soda a day. The only water he drinks is that flavored water, fruit2O. Neither of us drink wine, we will get funny looks if we order iced-tea or Coke at dinner?

Thank you for your time.

EmilySD - You can order Coke at restaurants, but it might be a 7 oz. bottle, no ice, no refills, and cost anywhere from 3E and up. You can find ice tea at Hard Rock Cafe's. Beer and wine are usually cheaper than soft drinks.

The more common soft drink in Europe seems to be Fanta. It is less sweet than Fanta available in the states and there are more flavors offered.