Food on a Plane? Everything You Need to Know

Are you an expat?
We, like you, know well how difficult it can be to give up the flavors of home – and, just like you, we’ve always packed our suitcases with food when leaving Italy for abroad. But how risky has it been to do so? Or rather, was it a good idea? Can you travel with food in your suitcase?

Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with food in your suitcase, including the most convenient and safe alternatives.

Food in your suitcase: rules and tips

The rules for transporting food vary depending on the destination country. Some foods, such as fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy, are highly discouraged because they may be subject to restrictions for food safety reasons. So, the first piece of advice we give you is to carefully check the rules of the country you're heading to.

Next, it’s important to think about how the food is packaged to ensure it doesn’t spoil or go bad. At that point, our effort might become even more costly because improperly packaged products can get damaged, leading to food and money wastage. Homemade packaging is never safe, especially since it doesn't account for pressure and temperature fluctuations during air travel (especially in the hold). Therefore, if the products get damaged, they will also make clothes and other items in the suitcase dirty. Using airtight containers and insulating materials can help, but it doesn’t always guarantee complete safety. Additionally, filling your suitcase with food means less space for clothes and personal items or may require paying extra fees if the additional weight is detected.

The alternatives

So, was it really worth it? Should we still do it? After some reflection, the answer we feel we should give you is no. Fortunately, today, compared to the past, there are many specialized services that allow us to bring the flavors of home around the world without the hassle or filling our suitcase with food. Without sacrificing bringing along our clothes or personal effects that we care about.

With Vico Food Box, you can even shop at your own pace and comfortably from your couch at home, ordering typical regional Italian products and having them delivered directly to your home abroad. Vico Food Box offers convenience, variety of products, and, most importantly, safety, as the products are professionally packaged to ensure they arrive intact.

If you’re craving Italian products and live abroad, take a look at our website! We ship all over Europe and the UK with true Made in Italy.