My son lives in London and we are going to visit. He wants pasta sauce and some food from Trader Joe's that I can freeze and put in a zip lock. Can I take the juice out of olives and somehow bag them? What exactly can I put in my luggage both with me and checked?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Florence, The UK has rules on what food can and cannot be brought in. You can't bring meat and dairy as well as some other items from outside of the UK. Here is a link which includes some additional info: http://dontbringmeback.direct.gov.uk/index.html Are these things from Trader Joes things that he cannot find in the UK? Prices are higher in London and he won't find Trader Joe brands but there are many comparable items. In my experience, you can find just about any type of food you want in London (I lived there and I cook a lot). If there is something he is looking for, perhaps we can suggest a place. For example, Borough Market has a great stand that sells only olives ... they must have 20+ varieties. As far as carry on goes, any food items with liquid need to fit in the 3 oz container in the ziploc bag.
Posted by
BC, Canada
345 posts
Jars and cans travel fine, and if you're going on a visit they can take up travel space that will then be empty for you to bring back other finds. I wouldn't do anything that requires freezing/cooling. Canned/jarred/sealed foods travel with ease, other things, not as much.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Florence, ask your son to go into a Sainsbury's or Waitrose supermarket and see if he really needs you to bring pasta sauce and olives from the USA. Either store has a vast variety of such items so why should you weigh down your luggage with them.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
They have olives in London,, for goodness sake, your son must be a bit homesick,,, but olives,, without liquid( which then must be eaten up fairly promptly) would be fine to transport in your carry on. Meat, fish,diary and vegatables are the food with the most restrictions. Things that are tinned are fine,, but fresh ,, forget it. What exactly does your son want... I find it hard to beleive that he can't find most things in London.. Pasta sause is heavy, but you certainly bring a tin or too in your CHECKED bags( that is a liquid so must be checked)
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
Marks and Spencers will have better olives. Trader Joes is ok but nothing compared to Euro foods!
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
If your son can find a local streetmarket he will probably find a stall that sells a wide varity of olives including stuffed ones. They are usually sold by weight.