British tourists returning from Spain and Italy risk £5k fine over one surprising thing

British holidaymakers returning from European holiday hotspots like Spain, Italy, and Greece, could face huge fines or even prosecution for making a simple mistake. The UK Government previously introduced a temporary restriction on bringing meat or dairy products from any country in the EU country to Great Britain for their own use due to fears over its impact on British farming.

The ban was brought in to help stop the spread of foot and mouth disease following outbreaks on the continent, with cases confirmed in Germany in January this year, and in Hungary and Slovakia (both in March).

It also applies to a number of countries that aren't members of the bloc, including the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.

Prohibited items for human consumption include:

• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages
• milk and dairy products like butter, cheese and yoghurt

You are permitted to bring in up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food needed for medical reasons, according to the UK Government website.

But these items must not require refrigeration before use, and be in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use).

You also can't bring in pig, cow, sheep, goat and deer products that are not for human consumption, like pet food made with pig meat.

However, you can bring back "2kg per person of special pet food needed for medical reasons", the government says.

But these must also not need to be refrigerated before using, and be in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use)".

Any other permitted animal products not for human consumption (like pet food made with chicken meat) must be either commercially packaged with the manufacturer's name and address or have ananimal by-product commercial document. You can bring in up to 2kg per person, the government says.

You are permitted to bring in the following for personal use:

• Fish
• Poultry, such as chicken, duck, goose and any other products made from these meats
• Other animal products like eggs and honey

Countries that Britons flock to in the summer like Spain, Greece, Italy, and France - none of which have had recent outbreaks - are all subject to the blanket ban.

Those who declare banned products to Broder Force officers at customs will see them removed and destoyed. And if you fail to declare them, you could be fined as much as £5,000 (in England) or even face prosecution, the government warns.

However, you can appeal to Border Force if you believe your products were seized and destroyed in error and get compensation if the appeal is successful.

You can find out more information about the rules and the rationale for the ban, as well as previously imposed restrictions here.