US CBP Press Release – Additional Reporting by The Costa Rica Star / LOS ANGELES—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) seized 450 prohibited pork meat tamales discovered inside the luggage of a passenger arriving from Mexico, on November 2.

The passenger, who was referred to agriculture examination, marked “YES” on the customs declaration about bringing food, but when asked if the food declared contained any pork meat products, a negative verbal declaration was given. Upon inspection, CBP agriculture specialists found 450 pork meat tamales wrapped in plastic bags.

“Although tamales are a popular holiday tradition, foreign meat products can carry serious animal diseases from countries affected by outbreaks of Avian Influenza, Mad Cow and Swine Fever,” said Anne Maricich, CBP Acting Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Every day CBP agriculture specialists prevent the intentional and unintentional introduction of harmful pests and foreign animal diseases into the U.S.”

The traveler was assessed a $1,000.00 civil penalty for commercial activity with the intent to distribute. The pork meat tamales were seized and destroyed under CBP supervision.

In  Costa Rica, tamales are one of the most endearing culinary traditions of the year-end holiday season. Like the tamales seized by the alert Customs agents in LAX, an old-fashioned tamal in Costa Rica is made with pork; however, new recipes for holiday tamales have been touted in recent years by advocates of healthy eating. These recipes eschew pork in favor of chicken, or the more exotic fish alternative.

It is estimated that a traditional pork tamal packs more than 400 diet-busting calories, a bit too much for health-conscious Ticos worried about the size of their waistlines.

In the past, the elaborate preparation of tamales for the holidays was a family event that grandmothers enjoyed overseeing. Abuelitas can now take a break, as tamales these days are usually purchased from upscale eateries like Spoon, to the tune of 3,000 colones for a bundle of two. These healthier tamales aren’t made with pork, and they range between 200 and 300 calories.