On each trip back to the US, I try to pack my suitcase full of goodies that are unique to Europe.
- Chocolate from Switzerland
- Well, chocolate from any country is better than Hershey's!
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Tuscany
- Silk and pearls from Beijing
- Cashmere from Scotland
- Beer steins from Germany
- Glass from Murano, Italy
- Limoncello from Sorrento, Italy
- Wooden toys for Lincoln
- Haribo gummy candies (although, Walmart now carries the gummy bears)
Last year, I stumbled upon KinderEggs at a grocery store in Germany. KinderEggs are foil wrapped chocolate eggs with a milk chocolate outer layer, a white chocolate inner layer, and then a surprise toy in the middle. Wow, a great find right? Wouldn't all the kids I know in the States love to get some chocolate and a surprise toy?!?!?
Not so much. It is illegal to bring KinderEggs into the United States. Here's a link to an article from consumer reports. Essentially, there's a provision in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (1938), which prohibit encasing 'non-edible' or 'non-nutritive items' in an edible item...so, no toy in a chocolate shell. The non-edible toy poses a choking hazard to children under 3. The solution....ban them from the US.
Who would have known???
totally interesting because my sister brought those eggs back to her kiddoes in October!! Had no idea they were illegal!
ReplyDeleteI love the Kinder eggs. I was born in Germany so when my parents moved us back to the states we would still get kinder eggs. They are supposed to be illegal but you can still get them at Germans stores here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteAllison Sawyer
I wondered why we couldn't get them in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI always bring them home...hmmm
Wow! I'm a criminal!
ReplyDeleteBefore my trip to Rockford in October I consulted Chuck about possible gifts to bring to the US. Finding gifts for Americans is a very difficult task as my impression is that you can find everything overthere! Chuck told me that one thing you can't find are "Kinder eggs"... Guess what I was galantly offering to our best friend's kids!