Woman fined for taking flight apple through US Customs

A Passenger says she is facing a $500 (€408) fine from US customs after a free apple she was given as a snack on Delta Air was found in her bag.

Crystal Tadlock, travelling to the US from Paris, said she was saving the fruit for her onward flight to Denver, Colorado.

But the apple was revealed in a random search by US border agents after her first flight landed in Minneapolis.

All agricultural items must be declared at customs.

The apple was handed out in a plastic Delta Air Lines bag.

Tadlock said she did not remove it from the bag, instead, she put it in her carry-on baggage to eat later.

When the apple was found, Tadlock told the agent that she had just received it from the airline and asked whether she should throw it out or eat it.

But the official said it was going to cost her a pretty penny.

Tadlock now has the choice of paying the fine or fighting the penalty in court.

"It's really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated like a criminal over a piece of fruit," Tadlock said.

A Delta Air Lines spokesperson refused to comment specifically on the incident.

However, the company issued a statement saying that "we encourage our customers to follow US Customs and Border Protection protocols."