Rat meat confiscated by customs officials at Chicago airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have seized 32 pounds of rat meat from a man who tried to declare it upon entering the country from the Ivory Coast, according to officials.

WBBM reported that the meat was seized June 26.

>> Read more trending news

The Associated Press reported that customs spokesman Steve Bansbach said the man was not fined because he was honest about what he was bringing in. The meat was confiscated and destroyed, and the man was sent on his way.

Bansbach said customs officials ban the entry of meats from Africa to prevent the spread of African swine fever, according to the AP.

In some countries, rats and other rodents are not unusual food. People in parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China, Vietnam and some parts of South and Central America consume rodent meat.

About the Author