CDFA and Partner Agencies Remind Travelers of the Risks of Pests in Packed Fruits, Vegetables, or Meat Products on their Summer Trips

Officials Raise Awareness of ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ Campaign

As millions of travelers pack their bags this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial beginning of summer travel season, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and its partners in federal and local government are reminding travelers NOT to pack fruits, vegetables, or meat products that could spread harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Agriculture Specialist Canine sniffing for fruits, vegetables, or meat products that could spread harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies.[Credit: Image courtesy of The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). All rights reserved. For media use only.]

While traveling with these items may seem harmless, CDFA along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and local county agricultural commissioners want to remind air passengers and road trippers alike that non-native pests and diseases can act as sneaky hitchhikers in fruits, veggies and other plant and food items. If transported into California, these invasive species can cause significant damage to California’s agricultural industries and residents’ homegrown produce.

To prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases, officials ask travelers entering or returning to California not to bring fruits, vegetables, or meat products with them. If travelers have plants or produce, they’re asked to declare it for inspection to ensure its safety.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized that the negative impacts of invasive pests and diseases stretch well beyond commercial agricultural operations. “Invasive pests and plant diseases that make their way into California not only can have devastating consequences for the bountiful agricultural operations throughout the state, but also can impact our community’s ability to grow fruits and vegetables at home, as well as the delicate ecosystems of our natural and working lands. Everyone can play a role in keeping California free from invasive pests and diseases.”

“Our CBP agriculture specialists stationed at land, sea and airports, utilize their technical proficiency in defending our borders from harmful pests and diseases,” said CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport Andrew H. Douglas. “Travelers may even see our ‘Beagle Brigade,’ a specially trained canine team that can detect specific scents in travelers’ luggage associated with fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that could pose a threat.”

Highlighting the disruption invasive species can cause, California experienced the most pervasive invasive fruit fly outbreak in CDFA’s 100+ year history in 2023. Believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, the outbreaks established quarantines across the state, restricting thousands of acres of commercial agriculture operations and residents’ ability to share and enjoy their homegrown produce. There are currently two active invasive fruit fly quarantine areas in the state: a Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine area in parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in parts of Orange County.

Downloadable media assets, including high-resolution images and video content, are available here.

For more information, visit DontPackaPest.com.

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