Flying with something to eat (not to drink, mind you, since we can’t bring liquids through an airport) has always been a foolproof trick to save money.
Remember, we’re not poor, we’re resourceful. This way, we avoid the ultra-processed food at airports (and their $23,840 tuna sandwiches) and calm our hunger during long flights.
But if you thought you could bring your favorite yogurt or a mini peanut butter jar, the TSA has a message for you. The Transportation Security Administration in the United States has tightened controls on certain foods that, although they seem harmless, might end up in the trash. And although the rule isn’t new, its enforcement is causing more than one headache!
What exactly has changed?
Although the 3.4-ounce (100 ml) rule for liquids and gels has been in place for years (and yes, they’re finally talking about changing it!), many travellers don’t realize it also applies to certain foods with suspicious textures. Especially those that can be spread, spooned, or have a gel-like consistency.
What can’t I bring in my backpack?
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Butters, hummus, yogurts, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert are being confiscated at checkpoints. Same goes for honey, sauces, and puddings, even if they come in individual containers or snack packs. It’s not that the TSA agent wants to eat your lunch, but anything that looks like a gel or spreadable paste shares a texture with some explosives. Simple, they stay on the ground.
Even though these rules have been around for years, enforcement has become stricter this summer. Several travellers have reported incidents at airports where these items were removed, even in formats that seemed safe. Avoid bringing these products in your bag, or the TSA will turn into Gandalf saying “you shall not pass” and you’ll end up throwing them away.
What happens if I bring these products?
As we said, it won’t surprise anyone if they end up in the trash, but it could be worse if you hold up the security line. So it’s best to be cautious and leave some foods at home. Always choose snacks that can go through the checkpoint so nothing is lost, neither your food, nor the other passengers’ time while they scold you!
What can you do?
If you plan to bring these kinds of foods, make sure they’re under the 3.4-ounce limit or pack them in your checked luggage. That way, the whole airport doesn’t have to find out you’re craving peanut butter.
But why do we have to follow this rule?
Because it’s a rule. Not much more to it. If you can spread it, it’s a liquid or has a gel texture, it can’t go with you in the cabin if it exceeds the limit.
As we said earlier, some types of explosives come in these textures, and above 100 ml (3.4 ounces), it could be catastrophic if an explosion occurred at cruising altitude. So, these rules are purely for our physical safety, and they’re not new!
What can I bring on my trip
So you don’t feel completely lost, here’s a list to help you figure out what you can carry in your hand luggage, no doubts this time. If you’re unsure, by the way, you can always message the AskTSA accounts on Facebook or X. They reply right away!
What items can I bring?
- You can bring fresh fruits and vegetables, either whole or cut, as long as there are no sauces or extra liquids over 100 ml.
- Sandwiches
- Energy bars, chocolate bars, and cookies
- Nuts, salty snacks, cereal, and chips
- Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan…)
- Bread, sponge cake, and dry baked goods
- Candy and chewing gum
- Vacuum-packed or hermetically sealed food (without liquids)
Foods you can’t bring if they exceed 3.4 oz (100 ml):
- Nut butters and spreads (like peanut butter or Nutella)
- Soft or creamy cheeses (Brie, Camembert, cream cheese)
- Yogurt, puddings, jellies, or any dessert with a liquid texture
- Soups, sauces, or broths
- Jars of honey, jam, or syrup
- Any food with sauce
- Homemade meals with liquid (stews, casseroles, etc.)
And here’s the TSA’s general rule: if it can be spread, poured, or spilled, and doesn’t fit in a 100 ml container inside a quart-sized clear bag, it’s not allowed in the cabin!
Now that travel season is here, summer is coming, and many of us are moving around the country, remember there are some things you just can’t bring in your bag, and that’s okay!
You can eat them before or buy them at your destination (name one single store that doesn’t sell peanut butter?), and that way we avoid the disappointment at the security checkpoint, don’t you think?
