Summary
- Alcoholic beverages can be transported in checked luggage as long as the alcohol content is below 70%.
- Bottled water cannot be brought through TSA security, but passengers can bring an empty bottle to refill after passing through.
- Fresh meats, oils, vinegar, honey, and syrups may need to be checked in your luggage or posted to your destination.
While many of us are generally familiar with restrictions on what travelers can and cannot bring on flights, food items are not usually the first thing to come to mind. With import laws and environmental regulations varying from country to country, what you might consider a snack on your flight might require pages of customs documents upon landing.
For those traveling over the holidays, here's a quick guide to prevent any hold-ups or delays when traveling through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints with food and drinks.
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1 Alcoholic beverages
Tis the season of boozy eggnog, port, and spiked coffees. As long as you're not flying into a country where alcohol is illegal, you can travel with alcoholic beverages in your checked luggage – provided the alcohol content is below 70%. If you're transporting overproof rum, maybe opt for postage instead.
Carry-on is another story. Under current liquid guidelines, bottles must be smaller than 3.4 FL oz (100 ml), with the alcohol content not exceeding 24%. For example, a tiny glass of wine or two of those low-alcohol, sickly party shots served in student bars. While guidelines on alcohol do conform to the TSA's 3-1-1 liquid rule, it's advisable to maybe skip packing this item to limit in-flight incidents caused by over-indulgence.
2 Bottled water
Again, slipping into that TSA liquids rule, water is another item you'll struggle to get through security. If you're turning up at a checkpoint with a big bottle of regional sparkling mineral water, it doesn't matter if it's sealed; you'll be required to pour it out.
Photo: Jim Lambert | Shutterstock.
Don't throw the bottle out, though. Passengers are permitted to bring an empty bottle with them to refill after passing through security checks. If you don't have a refillable water bottle, there are usually plenty of places post-security to get water, too: vending machines, food courts, cafes, magazine stands, and even in-flight. Despite being a requirement to live, water is one of the few items you do not need to bring in your carry-on.
3 Canned goods
If it's in a can, it's okay. Ish. Canned foods may require additional screening if they throw red flags during X-ray checks. Airport security staff may ask you to submit the items for further examination, potentially resulting in confiscation. Liquid items are again required to be under 3.4 FL oz, even if they're canned.
Like alcohol, it's best to either pack it in your carry-on or, to save weight, have it posted to your destination.
4 Oil, vinegar, honey, and syrups
If you're gifting that foodie in your life a luxury olive oil you've picked up on your travels through Greece or balsamic vinegar straight from Modena, you may be required to check it in your luggage.
Photo:Massimo Parisi | Shutterstock
Falling under the liquids banner, items such as oil, vinegar, honey, and maple syrup need to comply with the TSA's 3-1-1 rule. It's probably best to post them, or if you're concerned about the bottle being damaged, pack them securely in your suitcase.
5 Fresh meats
If you have to travel with a full-sized turkey or are trying to transport that salmon you caught in Alaska back home, the TSA requires fresh meats (including seafood) to be frozen during screening, whether in your carry-on or checked luggage. The ice packs or gels used to keep it chilled will also be required to be frozen.
There are currently some restrictions on importing meat and animal products from outside the United States, particularly on duck, poultry, game birds, and eggs. It's best to check with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure compliance with import laws before travel, with the agency's requirements and guidance frequently updated.
6 Fresh produce
Like fresh meat, the USDA may require you to present a permit if you're arriving from overseas with fresh or frozen produce; this includes everything from herbs and cut flowers to things like cotton and grains. Permits and further information are available on the USDA's website if you're unsure of the legality of your items.
When traveling domestically, you're unlikely to face any challenges while flying with fresh foods. So, as long as your salad dressing is under 3.4 FL oz, feel free to munch on that homemade salad while at 30,000 feet.
7 Dips, spreads, and sauces
We've covered wine, salad, meats – add in some cheese, crackers, maybe some hummus, and you've got yourself a full spread; well, that's as long as that hummus is smaller than 3.4 FL oz.
Yes, that's right – the TSA classes creams as a liquid, and as such, are required to comply with liquid regulations to bring them through security. This includes things like cream cheeses, butter, Nutella, jams, salsa, gravies, and sauces.
Any 30 Rock fan will remember the iconic scene of Liz Lemon scarfing down her sandwich in one sitting after a security officer refuses to let her pass with her dipping sauce. So, if you must fly with these items and want to avoid heartburn, make sure they're adequately packaged in size-appropriate containers; otherwise, they're going into the liquid bin.
Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here
8 Cupcake in a jar
Now, this is a weird one. Cupcakes? Yes. Cupcakes in a jar? Nope. According to the TSA, in 2011, a passenger tried to travel through security with a cupcake in a jar; however, the thick icing was flagged as a security risk.
The passenger, Rebecca Hains, criticized the TSA's apparent knee-jerk reaction, but the TSA's stance was uniquely defended by the owner of the cupcake store that had baked the item. Speaking to CNN at the time, Wicked Good Cupcakes manager Brian Vilagie noted that while frosting shouldn't be considered a liquid, the combination of icing and cake within an eight-ounce jar does violate the 3-1-1 rule. In a blog post shared on its website, TSA security officer Bob Burns clarified the agency's decision, explaining,
"When you think about it, do you think an explosive would be concealed in an ominous item that would draw attention, or something as simple as a cute cupcake jar?"
According to the TSA, cakes and baked goods are usually fine, though they may require excess screening if something doesn't appear right and can be confiscated. Maybe stick to cardboard packaging.
Have you ever had a food item confiscated at the airport? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.
