Yes, You Can Bring Food Through TSA—With Some Exceptions

25.10.2023 - 16:55 / afar.com / Can I (I)

Food is my go-to gift when visiting friends, a favorite souvenir to bring home, and usually an essential item on my packing list. So, more often than not, I’ve stashed some sort of tasty treat in my carry-on—which sometimes causes a little delay at TSA checkpoints. Over the years, I’ve had yogurt confiscated, pâté tossed away, and hot chocolate mix sent through additional screening by TSA agents. But I’ve also had countless protein bars, chips, and sandwiches pass through without a problem.

So while yes, you can bring food through TSA checkpoints, there are some important exceptions and rules to know before you head to the airport with your in-flight snack carefully tucked away in your bag.

You can bring most food through TSA, but your snacks, just like your toiletries, are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule. If they’re considered a liquid, paste, or gel—a classification that isn’t always obvious—they must be under 3.4 ounces. This includes liquids and liquidy things like juice, yogurt, syrup, soup, jams, jellies, condiments, or anything jarred in oil, as well as spreadables like nut butters, pâté, creamy cheeses, frosting, hummus, and other dips. So while that 5-ounce yogurt may get you in trouble, a 1.2-ounce packet of nut butter shouldn’t be a problem.

Items exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule include:

Solid foods, like pasta or sandwiches, are not subject to the rule—so go ahead and bring that entire loaf of San Francisco sourdough on board.
If you’re still not sure about a specific food item, you can consult TSA’s helpful What Can I Bring? tool or text the TSA your question.

If you’re traveling with alcohol over 140 proof (70 percent), you’re not allowed to bring it through airport security in any quantity. If you don’t want that souvenir rum tossed, you’re best off checking it.

Most alcohols, however, are not that strong and are allowed through TSA so long as the bottle is (you guessed it) less than 3.4 ounces.

However, according to FAA regulations, you are not allowed to drink alcohol onboard that is not served by a flight attendant. So if you are stashing a few mini bottles of liquor in your carry-on, be mindful to keep them there for the duration of the flight or risk a fine.

Technically, you can bring liquidy foods in their frozen form through airport security, “as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.”

The 3-1-1 rule is not unique to the United States. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, also bar liquids, pastes, and gels (whether food or not) over 3.4 ounces in your carry-on. Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.

If you want to bring your own food from home for your flight, here are some of