6 Nigerian food items you should not take to the United States

Travelling to the United States with food from Nigeria may seem harmless, but some items that are common in Nigerian homes are either restricted or completely prohibited at U.S. ports of entry. The rules are designed to protect the country’s agriculture, livestock and public health from pests, diseases and contaminated food products.

While commercially packaged foods may be allowed after inspection, fresh produce, certain animal products and homemade foods are subject to stricter regulations and can be confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In some cases, travellers who fail to declare restricted food items may face delays, fines or other penalties.

If you are planning a trip, here are six Nigerian food items you should not pack when travelling to the United States.

Bushmeat
Bushmeat is one of the most restricted food items in the United States. Whether it is fresh, dried, smoked or processed, it is not allowed into the country because it may carry diseases that can affect people and wildlife. Customs officers are likely to confiscate it on arrival.

Fresh meat, fish and dairy products
Fresh meat, fish and many dairy products are also restricted. Even if they are frozen or dried, they may still be seized during inspection. The restrictions are intended to prevent the spread of animal diseases into the US food system.

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits such as mangoes, oranges and pineapples, as well as vegetables like ugu, peppers and okra, should not be packed for travel to the US. These products can carry pests and plant diseases that threaten agriculture. Seeds and untreated grains are also restricted.

Homemade or unlabelled food
Homemade soups, stews and other foods without proper labels should be left out of your luggage. Food packed in unlabelled containers or without an ingredient list can be difficult for customs officers to identify and may be thrown away during inspection.

Excess alcohol
Travellers can only bring limited quantities of alcohol into the US without additional requirements. If you are carrying more than one litre, it must be declared and could attract duty. Failure to declare it may result in seizure or penalties.

Unprocessed plant materials
Food-related plant materials such as untreated seeds, grains and other unprocessed agricultural products are also restricted. These items may contain pests or diseases that could affect crops in the United States and are subject to inspection and possible confiscation.