Virginia, May 12 -- Officials with US customs and border protections said that they found cow dung cakes inside an Indian passenger's suitcase.

The incident took place on April 4 at Virginia's Washington Dulles International airport in unclaimed luggage from an Air India flight, reports said. The cow dung cakes were destroyed later.

According to Fox News, cow dung cakes are prohibited in the US because they are considered to be a potential carrier of highly contagious foot and mouth disease.

Cow dung though in many places of the world is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source, it is also known to be used as a skin detoxifier, an antimicrobial and as fertilizer. Despite these alleged benefits, cow dung from India is prohibited...