LONDON, ENGLAND, July 15, 2003: British Immigration and Customs officials have launched a campaign to preempt people from bringing in food and other edible items into Britain. They have said that European Union rules have become very stringent, particularly after SARS. Sources at the High Commission said that the customs at Heathrow airport, where all flights from India land, are quite concerned as most passengers from the country tend to bring in a lot of food. Recently, a passenger from India brought 26 kilos of biryani, a rice and vegetable dish. The passenger said it was for his family’s consumption. However, the family had to go without the feast as the biryani was seized and destroyed. Cooked food, even if securely packed, would now be confiscated. The meat preparations are to be destroyed immediately because of the fear of BSE, the mad cow disease, said the officials.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike