Okay, Times Square, you had your big New Year’s Eve bash. Now it’s time to usher in the Asian Lunar New Year—the Year of the Dragon—which starts on January 23. Many Asian Americans and their friends are looking forward to enjoying traditional foods, gifts, and parades during this holiday of great cultural significance.
If you’re in on the celebration, you may find it tempting to import tastes of Asia for the festivities. You may be ordering online or bringing food back from a trip overseas. USDA is eager to provide you with the information you need to ensure that these items won’t harm America’s agricultural and natural resources. Some agricultural items from certain Asian countries could be carrying pests or diseases that could seriously damage America’s crops, livestock, forests, rangeland, or community landscapes. Avoiding these items will help make the Year of the Dragon a prosperous and happy one.
