Can You Bring Food on an Airplane? TSA Guidelines Explained

Ever had your favorite snack confiscated at the airport, or worse, tossed into the trash bin by a stern-faced TSA officer? Perhaps you’re just bewildered by what food items you can bring onto your flight and what makes the list of forbidden fruits — literally. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether you can snack your way across the sky. From homemade sandwiches to exotic cheeses and everything in between, we’ll break down TSA’s regulations for onboard comestibles to help ensure your journey to taste doesn’t end before takeoff. Get ready for a serving of knowledge as we roll out the menu of airplane-approved food items!

Yes, you can bring food on an airplane. Solid food items are generally permitted in carry-on and checked bags within the continental US. However, it’s important to note that liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4oz/100 are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in checked bags if possible. Restrictions may apply when flying from certain locations such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands. Before your flight, checking with your airline or the TSA for any specific guidelines or restrictions is always a good idea.

TSA Regulations for Carry-On Food

Are you planning to travel by air soon and wondering whether you can bring food on an airplane? It is a common concern for many travelers. Luckily, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has guidelines that allow certain food items to be brought on board, subject to specific size and container requirements, while others are restricted or prohibited. Let’s dive deeper into TSA regulations for carry-on food.

Restricted Food Items

Solid foods like sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, snacks, and candy can be transported in carry-on and checked bags. However, some liquid or gel-like items may be subject to restrictions. These include water bottles, sports drinks, coffee, milkshakes, and juice cartons measuring over 3.4 ounces (100 ml), which must be placed in checked bags unless purchased after the security checkpoint.

Suppose you packed a sandwich and a bottled soda in your carry-on bag, intending to eat during the flight. In that case, you’ll have to finish the soda before getting through security or purchase one at a restaurant or store inside the airport’s secure area.

Size and Container Requirements

Due to their potential safety risk, the TSA prohibits certain food items from being carried on carry-on and checked bags. Such items include liquids with more than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters of content per item such as gravy, cranberry sauce, jam, jelly, salsa, oil, and vinegar dressing packets; creamy dips and spreads such as hummus and cheese spreads; alcoholic beverages above 70% alcohol content; creamy or custard-filled pastries; fresh fruits and veggies with dip or sauce; live lobsters; and any other item deemed potentially hazardous by TSA officers.

Therefore, it’s important to thoroughly check the contents of your luggage before getting to security checkpoints. You don’t want your precious honey jar stuck at the TSA because it exceeds the liquid limit.

In addition to these restrictions, size and container requirements for other food items are allowed in carry-on bags. Let’s examine them in the next section.

• Due to safety concerns, the TSA has strict regulations on certain food items not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. It is crucial to thoroughly check the contents of your luggage before reaching security checkpoints to avoid any issues. Additionally, specific size and container requirements for other food items are allowed in carry-on bags. Stay informed and prepared to ensure a smooth travel experience.

See Related: Can You Bring Snacks on a Plane? Here’s What to Know

Guidelines for Checked Bag Food

Are you planning to bring food on your next flight? The good news is that you can bring solid food items in your carry-on or checked bags. However, if you’re carrying liquid or gel-based food items like gravy, dips, or soups, it’s essential to adhere to TSA guidelines. According to regulations, liquids and gel-based foods are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in a carry-on bag and should be placed inside a quart-sized clear plastic bag.

Allowed in Carry-On Bags	Allowed in Checked Bags
Solid food items	Both solid and liquid food items
Jams, jellies, syrups, and honey	Canned foods*
Cheese (solid or creamy)	Fresh fruits and vegetables**
Fruits (fresh or dried)	Bread
Vegetables (fresh or cooked)	Crackers
Baked goods such as bread and cakes	Pies and cakes
Candy	Frozen foods must be frozen solid when packed

Unique Regulations: Liquid and Frozen Foods

If you’re carrying perishable food items or foods with liquids exceeding the TSA limit, it’s best to pack them in checked baggage. In doing so, keep in mind the following regulations.

• It’s essential to place all food items securely wrapped/closed within a leak-proof container.
• Your packaging should be sturdy enough to withstand potentially rough handling during transport.
• Foods like canned goods won’t require additional screening at TSA checkpoints; however, other passengers admit that some cans may prompt extra searches.
• Do not bring raw meat or seafood on board during international flights unless explicitly allowed by the country of arrival.

When packing perishable foods into your checked bags, consider using an insulated bag with cool packs to maintain safe temperatures during transit. You should also ensure that the food inside is well-wrapped to prevent leaking.

For example, if you’re carrying a homemade pasta dish or sandwiches, store them in tightly packed containers that can withstand pressure changes during flight. If you freeze your homemade dishes before packing them, they are less likely to leak or spoil inside insulated bags.

Remember that TSA screenings may require you to take your food items out of your carry-on and present them separately. Hence, pack the food items in an accessible part of your luggage. As with most things involving air travel, as long as you follow the TSA guidelines for carrying food items on flights, you’ll encounter no problems.

• According to the TSA, about 75% of the checked bags 2018 contained food.
• A study conducted in 2019 identified that around 41% of travelers prefer to bring their food for airplane trips due to dissatisfaction with in-flight meals.
• In a survey by Airlines for America, nearly 20% of passengers indicated dietary restrictions as a primary reason for bringing their food on a plane.

Liquid and Gel Food Restrictions

For obvious reasons, specific food items are subject to unique regulations regarding airline travel. These include liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes that exceed a particular threshold.

See Related: Can You Check a Duffel Bag at the Airport? Know the Rules and Restrictions

Rules for Frozen Foods and Ice packs

Per TSA guidelines, liquids and gels comprising food items should generally be kept in checked baggage unless they fall within acceptable limits. The TSA’s liquid limit for carry-ons is the 3-1-1 rule: Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes must be under 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and fit into a quart-sized bag. While commonly found food items like jams, honey, syrups, and yogurts count as liquids or gels – thereby limited to the prescribed volume – other edible products like cheese spreads and jellies could sometimes fit into an exception category.

Food Items	Carry-On Baggage Allowance
Peanut butter	Yes (In small containers of under 3.4 oz)
Cheese spread	No (Unless it meets size requirements)
Candies	Yes
Jams & preserves	Yes (Small containers of under 3.4 oz)
Yogurt & pudding	Yes (If container is less than 3.4 oz)

Also, items like soups and sauces would need to meet the criteria since they often come in quantities over 3.4 ounces.

Checking them in might be the best option for situations where one needs to carry larger quantities of such items or has frozen foods that could quickly thaw during a flight.

See Related: Do Disposable Cameras Get Ruined in Airport Security? Tips for Travel Photography

Hot and Homemade Food: TSA Stance

When traveling with frozen foods, the same rules apply to regular foods. However, passengers need to use ice packs to ensure they are “thaw-proof” and kept below 5°Celsius (41°Fahrenheit) during travel.

It’s important to note that the TSA states that individual airlines may have additional policies regarding food carry-ons. Therefore, it’s always best practice to review an airline’s website or contact a representative for confirmation.

To illustrate, imagine a traveler carrying cold cuts and cheese onboard a plane in their carry-on bag. The food would be appropriately packed in spill-proof containers with ice packs around them to keep them cool throughout the journey.

Allowed	Not allowed
Frozen fruits and vegetables	Canned fruit or vegetables
Meat, poultry, fish	Soups and stews
Bread, pastries	Yogurt or cheeses spreadable at room temperature
Ice Creams or gelatinous desserts	Jams or jellies

Related Resources:

• Can You Bring Candles On A Plane? A Guide To TSA Regulations
• Can You Bring Razors on a Plane? TSA Regulations Explained
• Can You Bring Scissors On A Plane? TSA Rules And Regulations