Christmas 'Cuties': Canadian Travelers Should Leave Citrus Behind

Travelers coming from Canada are reminded that mandarin or "Christmas" oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and pomelo are banned from non-commercial import into the United States, reports the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The agency typically sees an influx of "Christmas oranges" during the holiday season and when Canadian citizens travel to southern states for the winter, said Customs Port Director Daniel Escobedo.

"We just want to get the word out that these products are prohibited from being imported into the United States because of the unseen diseases and pests they may carry, Escobedo said. "Even citrus that was grown in the United States, but purchased in Canada, is prohibited from returning to the U.S., due to possible exposure to injurious diseases while in storage."

Border authorities say citrus fruit may become infected with contagious diseases such as citrus canker, sweet orange scab, or citrus black spot merely by coming into contact with infected fruit in grocery store warehouses or by people carrying infection on their hands, clothing, or equipment.

Another disease, citrus greening, is transmitted by a tiny insect, the Asian citrus psyllid, which is no bigger than the head of a pin, according to a news release. While these diseases don't make people sick, they have resulted in production declines, loss of income, and fruit-movement quarantines in Florida, Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Texas, officials said.

Michigan has seven ports of entry from Canada, including the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge.

Fresh fruits and vegetables grown outside of the U.S. or Canada are usually banned. However, even some Canadian and U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables may not be brought into the U.S. by travelers. Before bringing fruits, meats and dairy or poultry products into the country, you can check whether they are permitted on the CBP website.

Photo: The Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit is shown, Feb. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)