The agency requires that Mexican cascarones — decorative, confetti-filled eggshells — are free from egg residue to prevent the spread of poultry diseases.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are on the lookout for cascarones that enter the U.S. among travelers from Mexico during the Easter season.
Cascarones are confetti-filled eggshells. CBP allows only 12 per passenger, but they must be clean, dry and free from any egg residue.
The decorative eggs are a restricted commodity due to concerns of spreading Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) through contaminated eggshells.
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious respiratory and digestive disease for poultry and the mortality rate is 90 percent for exposed birds. HPAI also is a viral disease that can cause a high mortality rate among poultry.
“CBP would like to remind the public that fresh eggs, raw chicken and live birds or poultry continue to be prohibited from Mexico,” the agency said in a statement.
Attempting to bring in these or other prohibited agricultural items into the U.S. could result in a fine ranging from $300 to $1000.
