Sending bacon on a plane with visiting friends?

[realdocBBQ]

Got a couple visiting this week from Trinidad. They love my bacon, so they want to take some home with them. This is my plan:

Currently cold smoking 20lbs in my cabinet smoker with a couple of pellet tubes. Going to go maybe 3-4 hours.

Later today, will apply the heat, hot smoke it up for 150ºF.

Chill tonight, slice and package tomorrow, then freeze.

Friday, I am going to affix labels on the packaging that says, "This is a fully cooked meat product and has been smoked to an internal temperature of 150ºF."

Wrap in towels while frozen, stuff in their checked bags and send them on their way. It'll be an all day trip, but since this is a cured AND hot smoked AND frozen - even if it is partially or even fully thawed when they get home to Trinidad, I think it will be fine to stick the freezer. I mean, it's cured AND cooked - I wouldn't expect any problems do you think? Except from a customs agent, lol, but they assure me they can handle that, no big deal.

What are your thoughts?

 

[millerbuilds]

It is risky, it will depend on the Trinidad customs. I know when we go to the Exumas, we bring frozen meat, when I brought some that I vacuum packed (no commerical packaging) they rejected it and destroyed it. Now that was frozen raw meat, so maybe fully cooked will not be an issue.
Their concern is on where the meat came from and not having proof (other than your note) that it is cooked and there is not chance of an issue. Thank CWD, Mad Cow and other issues that have led to this.

I give it 50/50...

- Jason

 

[sandyut]

Customs may not let it thru. Might see if you can get a person to chat with. Within the US i have flown with raw and cooked meat no problem, but customs doesn't usually let that kinda thing in...I dont think

 

[mneeley490]

When I was in the Customs line in Mexico a while back, their Customs dog sniffed out some contraband in a ladies' purse. Turned out to be hot dogs for her kids, but they confiscated it anyway.

 

[chopsaw]

Customs dog

Yup . Beat me to it . They have black labs in the St. Louis airport just walking around the luggage area .

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Can you fed ex it home for them? Box up a styrofoam cooler filled with bacon and dry ice? I have never done it so dont know the rules. Send it two day and should be fine if allowed.

 

[mneeley490]

Yup . Beat me to it . They have black labs in the St. Louis airport just walking around the luggage area .

This one was a dachshund. Made sense he would sniff out the wieners.

 

[realdocBBQ]

Yeah I'm not worried about customs. That is their problem - they are confident they have enough 'connections' to get it through. I was just talking about from a safety perspective.

Turns out, they are flying into Miami, waiting overnight (so no problem refreezing), then just a few hour flight into Trinidad. So I think they'll be fine. They are probably going to get one of those insulated-type freezer bags to put it in.

As for getting it through inspection, meh. I've never seen a dog in the airport in Trinidad, but maybe they sniff through checked bags. But again, eother way, that's my friends' issue, they say they wont have a problem with the inspectors.

 

[realdocBBQ]

Just put the heat to it, after about 4 hours of cold smoke.

Bacon Smoking!

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[chopsaw]

I was just talking about from a safety perspective.

I wouldn't have a worry about it going bad . I've received stuff sent from other members that was fine , and that took a couple days .

 

[voyager 663rd]

It seems from a general reading, ok IF-for personal use AND commercially prepared/sealed. Home made stuff is headed to the bin for disposal.

 

[normanaj]

This one was a dachshund. Made sense he would sniff out the wieners.

I've had Dachshunds my entire life.

In all seriousness I'm amazed they are not used more often in this capacity.

 

[dons2346]

This is what I found. I think this in reference to commercially packaged bacon and not home grown. They might want to spend a little time on the customs website just to make sure

Import Requirements for Bacon​

Bacon, as a processed pork product, is generally permitted for import into Trinidad and Tobago. However, to comply with local regulations, you must adhere to the following:

• Import Permit: Obtain a valid import permit from the office of the Chief Veterinary Officer prior to bringing bacon into the country. Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Product Approval: Ensure that the bacon is approved for import and does not contain prohibited animal parts such as mucous membranes, organs, or parts of the genital system/intestines, spleens, udders, lungs, or other animal parts not commonly sold as food. Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Documentation: Provide all necessary documentation, including health/sanitary certificates, supplier invoices, and certificates of origin. Trade.gov
• Labeling: Ensure that the product labeling complies with the Food & Drug Act of Trinidad and Tobago, which includes requirements such as labeling in English and listing all ingredients. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

 

[Winterrider]

Better off shipping with dry ice in my opinion. We couldn't even get into Canada with jerky and snack sticks, all confiscated.

 

[Elf@shore]

Bacon: I Say NO WAY! from the Food service safe guidelines!
Its one thing to do a backyard thing ?
There are a few areas WHY?
#1: Not Safe for the food . Travel is in a high temperature environment, Prime environment to Spoilage and Contamination .
#2 Customs and Foreign Country laws: Can be confiscated and destroyed product, Some Countries even Fine and Prison !? Due to Health Risks and CONTRABAND ?
#3 Moral dignity to give a person product that might harm them!?
Its not the Bacon, What it attracts: Disease ,Bug transmitted, Airplane Contaminates,.
You can tell me its Cured, Sealed ,Ect. Not worth the risk !
BOTTOM LINE: Its not Properly shipped.
Need to take a step back <, Might have a slight chance of harming others ?
Yes!?, It can Happened? There too many factors that are @ play.
I Spent a lot of time in the Foodservice world, Kinda makes me SICK!?
Why did I take such SAFE care of the Great Food I prepared?
Conclusion : I Sincerely hope nobody gets SICK!?
AMEN ELF >>