Banned or restricted products
Some products are not allowed to be imported or sold in the UK and the rest of the EU. For some other products there are restrictions, or the Food Standards Agency has issued advice that they should not be eaten. Details of some, but not all, of these products follow.
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Foodstuffs with current EU restrictions
Specific products not of animal origin are currently under harmonised controls in the European Union (EU) that control their importation from specific non-EU countries.
'High-risk' products of non-animal origin under Regulation (EC) No 669/2009
Safeguard controls on certain 'high-risk' feed and food listed in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 669/2009, as amended. the latest amendment is Regulation (EU) No 1277/2011, which applies from 1 January 2012 is Regulation.
Aflatoxin contamination of products of non-animal origin under Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009
Safeguard controls on certain food products due to aflatoxin contamination under Regulation (EC) No. 1152/2009.
Calabash chalk warning
Calabash chalk is not a conventional food, but is eaten by some pregnant women, traditionally those from the Nigerian and wider West African community, as a remedy for morning sickness. The Food Standards Agency has advised people, especially pregnant and breast-feeding women, not to eat Calabash chalk, because samples tested have revealed high levels of lead.
Seeds and sprouted seeds from Egypt
On 7 July 2011, the European Commission published an emergency measure, Implementing Decision 2011/402/EU (as amended by Commission Implementing Decision 2011/880/EU), to prohibit the release for free circulation of fenugreek and certain seeds and beans and sprouts imported from Egypt until 31 March 2012.
Import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan
Following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, safeguard controls have been reinforced on all imported feed and food products originating in or consigned from Japan. The safeguard controls are implemented by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 961/2011, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1371/2011.
Guar gum and feed and food containing guar gum from India
Safeguard controls on guar gum and products that contain guar gum apply from 15 April 2010.
Jelly sweets import ban
Jelly sweets containing a thickening agent called konjac (E425) are banned in the UK and the rest of the EU. This is because there is a risk of choking. These sweets are widely available in Japan and the Far East.
Kava kava import ban
Kava Kava, a member of the pepper family, is as a traditional herbal remedy for the treatment of anxiety. The herb has been banned since 13 January 2003. This is because of concerns about its toxic effect on the liver. So you cannot import kava kava supplements, or foods containing this herb.
Plastic kitchenware from China and Hong Kong under Regulation (EU) No 284/2011
Additional import controls for certain polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, under Regulation (EU) No 284/2011.
Imports of products of animal origin from China
From 26 July 2005 some products of animal origin can be imported into the European Union from China as long as they comply with specific animal and public health conditions.
Red 2G colouring prohibition
Following a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluation of the food colouring Red 2G (E128), the European Commission has prohibited imports of food containing Red 2G, because the colouring may have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects that can potentially damage cells and cause cancer in animals.
Contaminated spices and palm oils
If you are importing spices from a non-European Union (EU) country you should contact the port in advance. There have been some problems with certain spices being contaminated.
Sunflower oil from Ukraine
From 1 January 2010, consignments of sunflower oil and products containing sunflower oil, intended for the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption, originating in or consigned from Ukraine can only enter the EU if accompanied by a valid certificate certifying the absence of unacceptable levels of mineral paraffin together with the results of sampling and analysis for mineral paraffin.
Rice products from China
From 12 January 2012 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) No 2011/884/EU imposes emergency measures governing the import of specific rice products from China due to unauthorised genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and repeals Decision 2008/289/EC.