TSA Rules on Flight Appropriate Food
Posted by Edward Wang on
We'll go over what's allowed through checkpoints and what kind of foods we recommend on your next intercontinental flight!
Surprisingly, the TSA allows most foods through security as long as none are liquids exceeding 3.4 ounces. This means you can bring muffins, cake, and even pies through the checkpoint—though they would be subject to additional screening.
The items allowed for travel in your carry-on include the following:
- Baby food
- Bread
- Candy
- Cereal
- Cheese
- Chocolate
- Coffee grounds
- Cooked Meats
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Dried Fruits
- Fresh eggs
- Meat
- Seafood
- Vegetables
- Hummus
- Honey
- Nuts
- Pizza
- Salt
- Sandwiches
- Dry Snacks
There are some exceptions to the rule, such as breast milk and baby formula, and some special instructions for liquids. Be sure to check out the official TSA website if you have any questions about the specific foods you plan to travel with during your trip.
Banned Foods on Airplanes
With non-food items, you aren't allowed to bring items in liquid or cream form that would be over the TSA liquids rule. It stipends that you can bring sauces, dip, jam/jelly, dressing, ketchup, and other condiments, basically liquids of any type, and creamy dips and spreads including cheese, salsa, and peanut butter in a container as long as it's under 3.4 ounces. Unfortunately, any excess liquid will be tossed.
Canned foods, alcohol, and ice packs in particularly will provide the most difficult to get through security checkpoints as they come with specific rules on when they can or cannot be transported in your carry-on.
Alcohol
Alcohol over 140 proof aka 70% by volume, are prohibited from checked AND carry-on luggage. This restriction also includes grain alcohol and 151 proof rum. However, you are allowed to bring on small bottles of alcohol that do not exceed 140 proof. Do keep in mind that many airlines do not allow you to enjoy your own liquor on board. Better be prepared to enjoy that cheap wine they have on board.
Ice Packs and Canned Foods
Ice packs, on the other hand, are usually fine as long as they are fully solid when going through security. If they have any visible liquid inside of them when going through the screening process, the ice packs will be taken out. Same with canned fruits. If TSA believes that the canned fruits are suspicious in any way, they will remove them from your checked bag.