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.

I've travelled a few times in the car on the ferry and have never been searched. And to be searched to that degree that they'd find a hidden block of cheese etc amongst a full car load is beyond me.

You'll be fine.

Having just been to the supermarket this morning (Auchan) I can assure you they have a huge amount of dairy and gluten free foods. Have a look at them online if you need reassurance. Also, you'll find most large pharmacies will have free from food too.

If you are dairy free then you presumably won't be trying to take dairy products.

So just don't take meat and you'll be fine.

If you're driving and taking the Eurotunnel it is extremely unlikely anyone will check your car anyway.

Bread is fine.

I travel to France about 6 times a year and have never been searched for food. They’ve checked car for explosives (Uk Chunnel) and for asylum seekers (ferry at Dunkirk and Calais) but they didn’t notice our cheese and ham sandwiches. Given the rules I didn’t take a turkey last Xmas (would have been an expensive confiscation) but the supermarkets are great. I have a coeliac friend who has not had any issues in France recently.

@MissScarletInTheBallroom I’m pleased that bread is okay on ur eyes. But actually they use something in gluten free bread that reacts with my bladder. But I will stick with what my doctor and my bladder tells me thanks.

No, I mean you will be able to take your bread into France without any problems!

Oranges and kiwis are both grown in the EU so there is a (very small) chance of you bringing in a fruit tree disease with your fruit and infecting them!

Have you tried Prelief? (Or taking rennies before you eat?)

I had an IC diagnosis - presuming that's what you have? Anyway, it was a chronic UTI and has been treated with antibiotics

Naturalia is a chain of “healthy “ food stores and should have a good choice of products for you. The dairy free fridge is as big as the dairy one.
There’s also biocoop, bio c bon and other chains aimed at organic and alternative foods. All the big supermarkets will also have free-from isles.

Kiwis are grown in Brittany. That’s my niche fact for you all today.

@DameKatyDenisesClagnuts it is not the same but similar. Yes I take all the medication. I guess you struggle eating out as well?

They grow kiwifruit and citrus fruits in France

OP when you get to your destination find your local Biocoop or other organic supermarket. They have a very large range of goods and can advise you. My GD has multiple allergies and our local one is great at helping when she visits us here in France.

Wow lots of snarky comments here from people who don't know what they're talking about.

There's no legal requirement for "may contain" cross contamination risk to be labeled on food products. So for people who experience debilitating symptoms upon exposure it can be important to stick with trusted brands they know won't make them sick. Especially when traveling in a foreign country! That's not the time to get sick.

And that's before you take into account that some smaller brands might simply have errors in their labelling and you might not know what is a small vs mainstream brand in a foreign country.

OP I'm sad that you've been on the receiving end of so much prejudice on this thread. I hope it hasn't got you down.

If you don't have it already you should get the google translate app, it reads and translates food labels so is very useful in foreign supermarkets.

Prejudice? Or people trying to signpost the OP to the very modern shops in France who already sell alot of the stuff that she could buy?

Nothing wrong with mentioning or recommending their preferred shops, but yes it's absolutely prejudice to presume to know more about how the OP should manage her health issues than the OP herself. It's the suggestion that she is somehow wrong to bring food in with her that is prejudiced.

Andtheworldwentwhite · Yesterday 11:40
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”

That sounds really difficult. Hope you have a great holiday 😃

Another regularly driving on holiday to France, always with a huge cooler box full of food. Never even had the boot opened although have been swabbed for explosives about 1 time in 3. A fine would of course sting and we accept the risk of that. But given how absolutely rammed Le Shuttle is in school holidays I really can't think that it's their priority.

Hi, not any more because antibiotic treatment has greatly improved my symptoms. It's horrendous though, I feel for you

Thanks to everyone who has posted answering my actual question. They have been really helpful. To those that have been rude I would love u to live my life. I eat the same food day in day out. It’s boring but necessary. And the concept that not all of us can just eat whatever u like is obviously baffling for people. I pray that no one has to eat like I do as it has ruined my entire life for 20 years.

I cannot just turn up at any supermarket here or abroad and just pick up gluten free or dairy free food. Sometimes I have to pick my battles if I run out of food to which is going to make me less sicker.