Air travel isn’t the most pleasant of experiences. It involves the faff and stress of going through security, lengthy waits for your gate to be called, packed terminals that can be short of places to sit, and that’s before you get on the plane.
Once you’re aboard, provided you haven’t plumped for business class or other added creature comforts, you’ve got a long journey with limited legroom, recycled air, and often-unappetising grub to look forward to.
In amongst all those discomforts and inconveniences, there’s something lovely about picking up a meal deal before you board. It gives you a little something to look forward to, and packaged sandwiches have a knack for being even more satisfying when you’re hurtling through the air.
However, there’s a catch to these sandwiches that you might not be aware of, and falling foul of it could cost you a £5,000 fine.
Since April 2025, restrictions have been tightened around bringing food products back to the UK.
In a bid to curb foot and mouth disease, which has been ravaging bovine populations in central Europe this year and poses a serious threat to British farms, you can be fined for bringing meat and dairy products over the British border.
“You may think that a wedge of local cheese or a pack of cured meats is a harmless holiday treat, especially if it’s sealed and purchased at a duty-free shop,” said Jane Bolton, a travel expert from Erna Low in comments made to the Mirror. “But under current biosecurity laws, meat and dairy products are banned from being brought into Great Britain from the EU or other restricted regions."
Banned foods include: all cheeses, regardless of whether they’re hard, soft, processed; all meat products, including cooked, cured, and otherwise processed products; dairy products including milk, butter, cream, and yoghurt; food items containing any of the above, such as sandwiches and salads.
“If in doubt, don’t bring it,” recommended Bolton.“The rules apply even if the items are commercially packaged or unopened.
“You’ll be expected to dispose of banned foods at the border and in some cases, may face fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance. If you’re unsure, visit the UK government’s official guidelines before packing.
"Grabbing a sandwich, pastry or cheese toastie before your flight might seem like a good idea, but if you don’t finish it before landing, you could be in breach of import rules.
“Even leftovers in your hand luggage are subject to restrictions. Finish all meat and dairy-based products before you land. Unfinished sandwiches, pastries or yoghurts can be confiscated, even if they were bought at the departure airport.”
These rules don’t apply to products that haven’t been derived from animals, including bread, wine, beer, spirits and non-dairy sweets and other confectionary products.
Be sure to thoroughly check ingredients labels to make sure you aren’t accidentally breaking the rules.
Bolton continued: "The tightened restrictions are a response to rising cases of foot and mouth disease across parts of Europe. These rules have been put in place to protect the UK farms and livestock from the spread of serious animal diseases, which can be carried into the country via contaminated food products. Even small traces of meat or dairy pose a risk, which is why the rules are now enforced more tightly.
"Don’t assume food bought in the EU is fine to bring back. These rules apply regardless of where it was purchased and whether it’s commercially packaged or not.
"If you’re not certain an item is allowed, always declare it at customs. Border officials are less likely to fine passengers who declare something in good faith, but hidden or undeclared items could result in confiscation, delays or fines of up to £5,000. Always check the official list on gov.uk before travelling and declare anything that might be questionable when going through customs."
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Garrido/Getty Images
Rachael Davis