France & food.

[TeamRienza]

Going by the number of motorists from the Republic of Ireland who flock over the border into supermarkets in Northern Ireland to buy food and drink that is not technically permitted to be exported into the EU (according to their laws) I suspect not.

Seriously though, A substantial proportion of foodstuffs that can be bought in the Republic are made in the U.K. or are internationally recognisable brands. Heck, they even have Tesco, Spar, Lidl, and Aldi supermarkets down there, so probably less need to bring foodstuffs across the Irish Sea than crossing to the continent.

If you are traveling over at some point in the future, might I suggest you look for Dunnes stores, particularly good for meats and fresh goods along with most of the brands you will find in the U.K.


Davy

 

[Eric The Viking]

Never been searched on either the French or Dutch routes either way. Rules are there but I think they've got better things to be concerned about.
I think the only issue may be fresh raw meats or unpackaged fresh foods if they really want to get picky. The dog eats dried food, we eat loads of fresh fruits, salads, cheese etc but from what we were told at UK Customs, they're not bothered if its for personal consumption.
Be wary taking any alcohol into Norway though, they get very grumpy apparently.

 

[jann]

If you arrive in France in the dead of night sat into sun with no food, when do you eat breakfast or lunch come to that?

You can take eggs,bread,tinned beans and several other things that will keep you going.

 

[Steveiow]

Went through tunnel in September and only thing checked was that the gas was turned off. Van was scanned by French boarder control on return in December. Dont know what they were looking for.

 

[GMJ]

We went through to France yesterday morning and it was the quietest and quickest we have had. We were the only MH with one PVC as well (normally half a dozen at least). No queues at the French customs and just a cursory ask if the gas was off with no check.

 

[Wooie1958]

Always puzzled by people taking cheese to France

Maybe because they like a particular one.

In all the years we`ve been going i`ve never found Lancashire Crumbly over there, do you know where i might get it ?

 

[alcam]

Maybe because they like a particular one.

In all the years we`ve been going i`ve never found Lancashire Crumbly over there, do you know where i might get it ?

Don't tend to look for British cheeses in a country that has hundreds of different cheeses

 

[Rumour]

Don't tend to look for British cheeses in a country that has hundreds of different cheeses

Totally agree. But then, lots who go to Spain look for the "English" pubs and cafes.

 

[alcam]

Totally agree. But then, lots who go to Spain look for the "English" pubs and cafes.

Each to their own I suppose.
Major reason for my travelling is to enjoy different cultures , particularly the food and drink

 

[Aaron36]

Clearly, the dynamics of pricing have shifted post-COVID, with France going from 20% cheaper than the UK to roughly the same or slightly dearer. On crossing borders, the OP's concern resonates, but it's interesting how dog food becomes the main 'contraband' on these trips due to specific preferences.

 

[Jo001]

it's interesting how dog food becomes the main 'contraband' on these trips due to specific preferences

It's not just down to preference.

In the digestive system (of dogs, humans, other mammals) a lot of the actual digestion is done by the bacteria that live in the gut. Because dogs tend to eat a very restricted diet, eating the same food and treats, the gut bacteria become very accustomed to that. So a change from one food brand to another causes these bacteria a lot of disruption and they can't cope, leading to digestive problems for the dog. And a dog with diarrhoea in a tin can isn't something you want. That's why so many of us get a bit twitchy at the idea of having to feed something different.

 

[jacquigem]

Our 11 year old Staffy cross was dying a few months ago. Vet suggested a change of diet and now she is fine so we will be joining the pet food smuggler's if we have to return.

 

[yeoblade]

We tried a 'sack' of french dog food, as Tess will eat absolutely everything, but she soon went off it, so we resort to taking her normal mix now

 

[AndyWill64]

A few have said they take food in the fridge/freezer. I've not been abroad in my van yet but always assumed the gas should be turned off during the crossing?

 

[alcam]

It's not just down to preference.

In the digestive system (of dogs, humans, other mammals) a lot of the actual digestion is done by the bacteria that live in the gut. Because dogs tend to eat a very restricted diet, eating the same food and treats, the gut bacteria become very accustomed to that. So a change from one food brand to another causes these bacteria a lot of disruption and they can't cope, leading to digestive problems for the dog. And a dog with diarrhoea in a tin can isn't something you want. That's why so many of us get a bit twitchy at the idea of having to feed something different.

Didn't know that . My dog gets different food quite often , not had a problem.
Though I've always assumed a lot of the dry food comes from the same factory . Including the luxury (designer packaging) , over priced stuff

 

[Jo001]

My dog gets different food quite often , not had a problem

Actually, changing food regularly is one way to prevent the bacteria getting too specialised in what they digest, it helps them cope better with different things if they are accustomed to variety.

But in terms of quality or luxury varieties, have a look at the labelling. Some cheaper foods are full of maize and fillers, and 'derivatives'. Some of the better foods have clearer ingredients (showing for example what percentage of proper meat is in it) and that's what I look for first.

Example -

1. A basic economy food - Cereals (4% Rice in the Rice Component), Meat and Animal Derivatives 24% (4% Chicken in the Chicken Component), Vegetables (4% Peas in the Pea Component), Oils and Fats, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Minerals, Dried Chicory Root (0.1%)

2. A better quality food - Fresh pork meat (70 %, Iberian pork only), dried potatoes, dried fish, dried brewers’ yeast, dried apple pulp, salmon oil, yucca extract, cold-pressed flaxseed oil, cold-pressed olive oil, green-lipped mussel extract, dried carrots, dried tomatoes

In the first one, a food labelled as a chicken based food, there's only 4% of chicken, within the 24% of animal derivatives. So if my calculation is right, that's about one percent, yes? And since we don't know how much chicken is in the 'animal derivatives' in the first place,it's going to be even less than that anyway.

With some of the expensive ones, you feed less so the cost balances out.

 

[Jo001]

A few have said they take food in the fridge/freezer. I've not been abroad in my van yet but always assumed the gas should be turned off during the crossing?

On a short crossing (Dover to Calais for example) it isn't a problem, everything should stay frozen anyway.

 

[jacquigem]

Actually, changing food regularly is one way to prevent the bacteria getting too specialised in what they digest, it helps them cope better with different things if they are accustomed to variety.

But in terms of quality or luxury varieties, have a look at the labelling. Some cheaper foods are full of maize and fillers, and 'derivatives'. Some of the better foods have clearer ingredients (showing for example what percentage of proper meat is in it) and that's what I look for first.

Example -

1. A basic economy food - Cereals (4% Rice in the Rice Component), Meat and Animal Derivatives 24% (4% Chicken in the Chicken Component), Vegetables (4% Peas in the Pea Component), Oils and Fats, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Minerals, Dried Chicory Root (0.1%)

2. A better quality food - Fresh pork meat (70 %, Iberian pork only), dried potatoes, dried fish, dried brewers’ yeast, dried apple pulp, salmon oil, yucca extract, cold-pressed flaxseed oil, cold-pressed olive oil, green-lipped mussel extract, dried carrots, dried tomatoes

In the first one, a food labelled as a chicken based food, there's only 4% of chicken, within the 24% of animal derivatives. So if my calculation is right, that's about one percent, yes? And since we don't know how much chicken is in the 'animal derivatives' in the first place,it's going to be even less than that anyway.

With some of the expensive ones, you feed less so the cost balances out.

This what was recommended by our Spanish vet. Has worked a treat but would welcome your thoughts. We add some raw Carrott and brocoli and a spoonful of tuna.

 

[Jo001]

This what was recommended by our Spanish vet. Has worked a treat but would welcome your thoughts. We add some raw Carrott and brocoli and a spoonful of tuna.

Can you photograph the ingredient list please? But I'd add - the best food for your dog is the one he/she thrives on, every dog is different.

 

[jacquigem]

Can you photograph the ingredient list please? But I'd add - the best food for your dog is the one he/she thrives on, every dog is different.

Hi , thanks for response. The only other writing on the bag appears to be Spanish and is far too small for my eyes even with glasses. Tried to find on website www.brit.petfood.com . Perhaps worryingly despite ploughing thru 18 pages of product could not identify the exact brand.
I get it from a reputable vets shop and our dog is thriving so not worried ,just curious . Will be travelling for 5 or so months in the summer so will probably have to source similar products.