My daughter has severe food allergies. From the time we leave home until we get checked into our hotel and find a grocery store, she will have nothing she can eat except what I bring. I'm trying to understand the rules on bringing food into Spain. Usually I travel with a couple of those little chicken salad kits, but it looks like all meat, even canned, may be banned? Is that correct? If I can't bring those, and cheese is also banned, I'm kind of struggling to think how I can feed her for about 24 hours without refrigeration. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6560 posts
This link about prohibited items may help. It is in English and Spanish.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1013 posts
You can take your own food onto the plane so it will only be the portion of your journey from leaving the plane to finding a grocery store that she won’t be able to eat. Usually it’s not really possible to eat at this time anyway as you are constantly on the move going through passport control and so on. If there are delays and she is getting very hungry you might find a store at the airport or get a taxi and stop at a grocery store en route to your hotel.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2942 posts
Where are you exactly travelling to if I may ask?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4574 posts
I recommend you bring what you need. She will need food on the plane, and whatever you have left over until the grocery store, you can declare.
Processed food, like chicken/rice crackers, or the small red wrapped cheeses are not going to create problems if consumed shortly after arrival. If you can, enter the country with unopened packages, any half eaten packages should most likely be discarded prior.
If you are asked about bringing in food items, tell them then, and show them what you have and why. They are not going to cart you off for a few convenience packs of food. If they confiscate it, then the Carrefour convenience stores have a selection of GF products and are in multiple locations. They may hold you over until you can get to a larger department store.
Spain is well versed in food allergies.
Oh, and if severe enough to require an epipen, then have that nearby and consider a note from her doctor to explain the need to carry her food.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1013 posts
It’s really not going to be necessary to carry banned food items off the plane. It’s a very short time before getting to a shop and you can take some foods just not meat, dairy etc. But as stated, the worst that will happen will be that these items are confiscated and the chance of being stopped is small.
Personally, I would just carry a few things that I know are permitted rather than take a risk and potentially have to throw away everything because it’s considered to be contaminated.
Posted by
TX
502 posts
Traveler1920, I too have severe food allergies and have been travelling for many years. I always take all the cooked meals I would need for my flight, plus snacks. I carry a letter from my doctor as well as my Epi pen. I have a lunch bag that keeps my food warm or cold, and it can hold enough food for lunch or dinner, plus breakfast. Then I have safe snacks, either almond or cashew butter in small container, and sometimes fruit. All of these are generally consumed during the flight or airport. The snacks are in wrappers so those have never been a problem. Hope this helps.