Anyone finally answer the what food can I take into France question.

[Andtheworldwentwhite]

I have looked at previous threads on this but the answers have always seemed vague.

I am due to go to France in a few months. And have to take food with me. Now I know that the rules have changed and in my opinion vague. And the answers I have found elsewhere seem to be vague as well.

it says something to effect that u cannot take dairy etc or anything containing this. Are they talking about cheese ( which I assume they are ) or are they talking about as an example a packet of biscuits that contain milk.

on another thread I saw that someone said u can only take bourbons as they are dairy free.

Also read that u can only take 2 kg on weight of food. Is that per person or per car? An answer from someone who has taken food through would be really helpful or who knows the exact rules.

Might be a silly question but why do you HAVE to take food with you?

It’s quite simple.

No pure dairy, eg milk, cheese, yogurt. Dairy as an ingredient is fine, eg mini cheddars.
No meat, including pepperamis etc.
No fresh fruit except bananas and pineapples
No fresh vegetables.

https://www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2021-06/25/travellers-arriving-in-the-EU-what-kinds-of-food-and-plants-can-you-bring-with-you.pdf

www.douane.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2021-06/25/travellers-arriving-in-the-EU-what-kinds-of-food-and-plants-can-you-bring-with-you.pdf

You do know they sell food in France dont you?

For those being rude. I have to be wheat free dairy free , nothing acidic and has to be under 3percent fat as I have numerous medical problems. Not all of us can eat whenever we like. So yes. This is a really important question for me. I have not been on holiday for five years and really want to go away. So food is important.

@SneezedToothOut thankyou for your helpful answer. So taking certain foods in packets is fine.

As long as you follow the rules in the linked leaflet you’re absolutely fine.

You’ll be able to buy stuff fitting this criteria there. So really, you’ll be fine. Just take some things you really want to have. You don’t need to take enough for all your meals for the whole trip.

@Theredoubtableskins if only that were true. Even packets of normal things I can have a reaction to. So am hoping to take as much as I can. Luckily that have plenty of vegetables and meat. It’s just the bread and nice bits etc which I’m hoping to take.

You are right to be cautious OP. Sometimes the same branded products can have slightly different formulations in other countries.

We regularly travel between the UK and France. I buy whatever I like from Sainsbury's, which includes blocks of cheddar cheese, bags of Maris Pipers, and last time I even had plants from my aunt's garden. I have never been stopped, challenged, or searched.
I would take whatever you want, but just be aware that there is a risk that it may get confiscated.

You can take anything into France as long as you don't get caught.

If you are non dairy then taking dairy in won't be an issue as you won't be taking dairy in.

We do have loads of wheat free and dairy free options. So if it did get taken off you, then you should be able to source it here.

Do you have a diagnosis or can you get a doctors note so that you have evidence that you need these should they search your vehicle?

Well if it has to be Dairy free why are you taking dairy surely if you have family members who are not dairy free go to a supermarket and just take your own food. Yes it means all dairy of course it does it isn't vague at all.

And an instant €1000 fine.

They sell fruit, meat and veg in France.

Well. As I have other family members going and yes they have other food problems like me. So hence why I asked the question as having our food taken is a huge problem. But nice to see some judgemental comments on here. I would love to just go on holiday and eat all the food. Sadly that isn’t the reality for me. And yes as said above even different ingredients in something can be me spending a day in pain.

You do know that they don't sell exactly the same foods in the UK and France don't you? Sometimes people like certain foods! I bring back marmite, curry sauces and some biscuits from the UK. Not because I think I am going to starve without them but because I like them!

Travelled on Le Shuttle last month and we took with us whatever we could afford to lose.
We travelled with our dog who's one a specific dry kibble and snuck a 25 kilo bag in the car.
In hindsight I wish we'd have put in two bags.
We weren't checked at all.
Now the poor dog is resigned to eating Spanish kibble that's not to his liking at all for the next six weeks 😂

@drivinmecrazy thankyou. That is really helpful to know.

@Andtheworldwentwhite have a lovely holiday! Please ignore the judgmental people. I’ve learnt on here to just focus on the positive posts and ignore the negative. Don’t respond to them.

@TonTonMacoute thankyou yes. People just dont understand. My bladder reacts to acidic and ingredients in foods. And one wrong food can have me in the bathroom , bleeding and in pain. I have not been away for so long I really just wanted to just have a holiday. But it is so hard.

Went to Disney about eight years ago. And spent most of it in the bathrooms.

Some people here are ridiculous and beyond rude.
Other than that my mind is boggled that there is a no fruit rule except bananas and pineapples. Why?! What have bananas and pineapples done to merit this distinction?

The French supermarkets do sell very good ranges of dairy free, gluten free etc. It's come on leaps and bounds these past few years. You just need to look for the specialist aisle usually called dietique or similar. The phrase to look for is sans gluten. If you google you can find the nearest supermarket and the check their products in advance online and make sure the ingredient list is OK using Google translate

We can’t grow them here? (Coconuts and dates are also allowed.)

Ah! Thank you. But if that’s the case what about oranges? Or kiwis?