Don't pack pork: what travellers need to know before returning to Canada

Bringing food home from your travels? Read this first.

Travelling often means reconnecting–with people, places and the foods you love. It's common to bring back favourite snacks, specialty ingredients or something homemade from family and friends.

But some of those items can carry risks you might not expect.

The hidden risk in your luggage

One of those risks is African swine fever (ASF)–a serious disease that affects pigs. It doesn't affect people, but it can spread through pork and pork products and is present in many parts of the world.

ASF has never been found in Canada, but if were introduced here, it would have serious consequences for pigs, farmers and the economy. Even small amounts of contaminated food can introduce the disease.

Plan before you pack so you know what you can bring back into Canada. That specialty sausage from a local market, homemade foods, or packaged food containing pork might seem harmless–but they could carry the virus.

To help protect Canada's pigs from ASF, don't pack pork or pork products–even if they're sealed or commercially prepared.

Always declare at the border

If you are bringing food back to Canada, the most important step is to declare it at the border–especially if you're not sure if it's allowed. Declaring is the law.

If you have food items with you, use designated disposal bins at the airport before going through customs to safely dispose of food scraps and other garbage to prevent wild pigs from accessing contaminated waste in landfills.

Declaring items helps border officers assess risk and keep Canada's animals, plants and environment safe. Failure to declare could result in penalties of up to $1,300.

Take extra precautions if your trip included animals or farms

If you visited a farm or agricultural area, had contact with wildlife or went to markets with live animals, declare it at the border and avoid visiting farms in Canada for 14 days after you return.

If you hunted abroad, you may increase the risk of spreading ASF. Learn how hunters can reduce the risk.

If you work with animals or on pig farms, take extra precautions when returning to Canada:

• clean and disinfect clothing, footwear and equipment
• avoid contact with pigs or farms for 14 days after returning
• follow all biosecurity rules where you work

Learn what agricultural workers need to know.