Can You Bring Food Through TSA And On A Plane? Here's What You Need To Know

[MULTIZ321]

Can You Bring Food Through TSA And On A Plane? Here's What You Need To Know

Can You Bring Food Through TSA And On A Plane? Here's What You Need To Know - Islands

Before you dump an entire grocery bag into your luggage, you should be keen to the TSA's rules on traveling food. Here's what to know ahead of your trip.

www.islands.com

Richard

 

[MULTIZ321]

The eleven liquids with no size
restriction that you can now pass
through the security checkpoint
at the airport

The eleven liquids with no size restriction that you can now pass through the security checkpoint at the airport

The Transport Security Administration could be set to relax their strict rules on 11 liquids that passengers can now carry onto aeroplanes thanks to modern technology allowing for

www.marca.com

Richard

 

[moonstone]

I always take food on a flight. Sometimes it's a sandwich I made at home, sometimes just cheese, kielbasa and crackers, or some granola bars or other snack foods. Our DD and I have also taken little kids size yogurts and juice boxes both of which are under the 100 ml size. Since we don't need to take any toiletries in our carry on bags (they are already at our condo in FL) the liquids bag can be full of edible or drinkable liquids. I also take a frozen water bottle and if it has started to melt before going through security I drink any water in the bottle so there is only ice left. It helps keep the sandwiches or other food cold in my little cooler.

Our DD and her neighbour flew to Panama last winter and she went over to help the woman finish packing so they could leave for the airport on time. The woman had 2 quart size liquids bags, she put 1 in her carry-on and 1 in her personal bag. Our DD told her you are only allowed one. The woman said she always takes 2, she puts her carry on through the scanner first, then the rest of her stuff, then lastly her personal bag (a backpack). She said the folks doing the scanning don't know which bag belongs to who, so as long as there is only 1 liquids bag per item they never say anything.


~Diane

 

[easyrider]

When we can, we bring a couple of cases of wine back from Mexico.

Bill

 

[TolmiePeak]

When we can, we bring a couple of cases of wine back from Mexico.

Bill

Do you visit some of the wineries there?

 

[easyrider]

Do you visit some of the wineries there?

No, we go to Costco.

Bill

 

[WorldT]

When we can, we bring a couple of cases of wine back from Mexico.

Bill

Do you take the wine from Costco past security and into the plane?
The OP was talking about going past TSA, as in, what you carry on your person (carry on luggage). I carry food when I am traveling with the kiddos. Never had a problem.

 

[clifffaith]

For many years, mostly on American, in addition to my carry on and personal item, I also carried a small soft sided lunch tote. Never a problem at TSA, once or twice someone checking boarding passes at the gate said “is that lunch?”. Then they started to be pickier, so my Tupperware sandwich squares and other containers went directly into my carryons. That was awkward until I figured out to save and reuse a plastic/paper bag with a fast food logo. I continue to carry food on that way and am never questioned about having three items.

 

[easyrider]

Do you take the wine from Costco past security and into the plane?
The OP was talking about going past TSA, as in, what you carry on your person (carry on luggage). I carry food when I am traveling with the kiddos. Never had a problem.

No. We checked it. The last three trips we were moving alot so my wife had only room for five bottles in my checked bag coming home. I had to leave my flip flops.

The only issues I ever had with TSA is leaving my wallet in my pocket and being told to put it in a container to go through the x-ray. Someone stole $300 out of my wallet. I noticed this right away and we had eyes on the conveyor. The only person who could have riffled through my wallet was a TSA guy. I called him out and a supervisor told me that TSA isn't responsible for lost or stolen items. I called the guy a fn theif loud enough to be asked to leave. After this I bought a secure wallet for TSA. This was at Seatac.

Another time a young TSA guy couldn't figure out my diving lead in my carry on. It looks black on an x-ray. I told him it was diving lead. He wanted to confiscate the lead so I asked for a supervisor who recognized the lead and let me through.

Bill

 

[rapmarks]

How to make TSA agents laugh:
My husband tried to go through the scanner with the tv remote in his pocket

 

[moonstone]

How to make TSA agents laugh:

The funniest thing I ever saw going through TSA was the winter before last when I had to fly home (from FL & Belize) for 2 days every 3 weeks for post-chemo treatments. On one of my Toronto departures there was a couple in front of me who were probably in their late 20's, or early 30's. They each put a backpack in the trays as well as coats, shoes, tablets and other loose stuff. The guy's backpack got pulled aside after going through the scanner. The TSA agent asked who owned the backpack and the guy said it was his. The agent took his backpack to a table at the end of the conveyer, opened it and pulled out a very large (48-64oz?) black bottle. The agent said there's liquid in here so you can either drink it, dump it, or the bottle is going in the trash. The guy said, with a straight face, Oh the machine can see the liquid through that? I bought is specifically because the scanners are not supposed to be able to see though it, I paid a lot of money for that! I laughed out loud and so did another agent. The agent with the backpack told the guy there was no such thing. The guy said it was a high protein drink in there and too much to drink all at once and too expensive to dump. I got my bag and left so I don't know what he decided to do. I imagine those agents see a lot of strange things.

~Diane

 

[WinniWoman]

Can you bring food in your personal item on an international flight?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Good question to ask the airline. I have taken packaged nuts, dried fruit, applesauce pouches (but TSA sometimes stops to check) and snack bars.

If fresh fruit, sandwich etc best to consume before arrival or not bring at all.

 

[moonstone]

Can you bring food in your personal item on an international flight?

I did the many times we flew to England, and 3 years ago when we went to The Netherlands. As long as the food isnt prohibited by their customs laws, so some meats, milk and cheese products may not be allowed. I've taken apples, bagels and peanut butter (in a small allowable size Tupperware container with a plastic knife so I could spread it when it was going to be eaten), granola bars, crackers and hardboiled eggs with no problems. If you take any fruit (apple, banana...) make sure you eat it before landing in case customs get upset. On our flight to Amsterdam the woman sitting next to DH had a noodle bowl (Mr Noodles type of thing) in her personal item and asked the flight attendant for some hot water to pour in it. It smelled pretty good! You should be served a meal (or 2) on a flight to Europe so you shouldn't be left starving.

~Diane

 

[frytard]

I did the many times we flew to England, and 3 years ago when we went to The Netherlands. As long as the food isnt prohibited by their customs laws, so some meats, milk and cheese products may not be allowed. I've taken apples, bagels and peanut butter (in a small allowable size Tupperware container with a plastic knife so I could spread it when it was going to be eaten), granola bars, crackers and hardboiled eggs with no problems. If you take any fruit (apple, banana...) make sure you eat it before landing in case customs get upset. On our flight to Amsterdam the woman sitting next to DH had a noodle bowl (Mr Noodles type of thing) in her personal item and asked the flight attendant for some hot water to pour in it. It smelled pretty good! You should be served a meal (or 2) on a flight to Europe so you shouldn't be left starving.

~Diane

I have taken packaged organic horizon milk through Singapore, Philippines and Taiwan for what its worth. We brought our 2 year old with us and wanted extra for the airports and when we couldnt get milk for the room. They didnt seem to mind.

 

[WorldT]

Can you bring food in your personal item on an international flight?

Yes you can. However, you may want to plan on consuming it before you get to customs/import control depending on the country you are flying into. Passing through security and getting on the plane with it is not a problem at all.
Fresh fruits/vegetables and dried nuts are usually frowned upon at the arrival country primarily because they do not want you bringing something that can grow and affect the local flora. Also, some pest can hitch a ride on fresh/dried fruits and nuts.

 

[stmartinfan]

Our daughter missed a flight because TSA didn't recognize the small machine she put through the scanner was a breast pump! They pulled her aside, searched everything she had and several guys huddled around it, despite her and her husband trying to explain what it was. Finally a female agent came over and let them through but it took way too long. She was a young mom traveling with her husband and 2 kids, aged 8 months and 3, so should have looked innocent. But I suspect the agents in Minnesota were more suspicious than they should have been because she's originally from India.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I bring durian on the flight. Most others don't seem to mind when I start eating it.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I bring durian on the flight. Most others don't seem to mind when I start eating it.

Ha Ha.

I remember seeing a sign at the front desk of a hotel in Hong Kong saying Guests are not allowed to eat Durian in the hotel.

According to Wikipedia: "The smell is very strong and has been described as a combination of sulfur, sewage, fruit, honey, and roasted and rotting onions. A study on the aromatic compounds in durian found 44 active compounds, including some that contribute to scents of skunk, caramel, rotten egg, fruit, and soup seasoning."

 

[WinniWoman]

Yes you can. However, you may want to plan on consuming it before you get to customs/import control depending on the country you are flying into. Passing through security and getting on the plane with it is not a problem at all.
Fresh fruits/vegetables and dried nuts are usually frowned upon at the arrival country primarily because they do not want you bringing something that can grow and affect the local flora. Also, some pest can hitch a ride on fresh/dried fruits and nuts.

Darn. Nuts are one of our go to’s when traveling.

 

[MCLRenoNV]

Our fam of 6 had a 3 hour layover at Chicago Midway Airport. As soon as we landed, I placed an online order for a Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s and a chicken salad for my wife. I set the order to be delivered to Midway airport and specified the passenger drop off area. When the driver called I gave instructions on where to meet. My daughter and I went out to get our order and carried it through TSA precheck. No problems at all and I confirmed on TSA site prior to arranging. Long story short we had a FAR better lunch than we could have had in Midway during our layover and it was much less expensive than pricey airport food, even with a good tip for the driver. Hopefully my kids will remember my slick travel moves.

 

[Blues]

I imagine those agents see a lot of strange things.

One Christmastime, my wife packed a gift for our sister-in-law, who has as twisted a sense of humor as my wife. It was a 18" tall statue of a Christmas elf, elf hat and all, bent over with dropped trou, shooting a moon. The TSA agent passed it through the scanner, backed it up, passed it through again to look at it, and repeated 3 times. She finally told my wife to open the carry-on so she could see. When my wife unpacked it and brought it out, the agent started laughing out loud. Through her laughter, she said "Oh boy, I can't wait to submit my report tonight!"

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Humbug. I've brought dried packaged nuts to/from Europe many times and no one has ever questioned me. I also bring dried cranberries, walnuts and stevia to put in yogurt in timeshare kitchens in my checked bag.

My applesauce packet gets stopped if I forget to put into the bin but that is because it is a liquid.

Never an issue. I think I asked once and they said only fresh fruits meats and veggies are a problem.

Darn. Nuts are one of our go to’s when traveling.

 

[stmartinfan]

I've taken small bags of nuts and trail mix overseas as well. You're probably best if you have them unopened in their original packaging. I think that's better than ziplock bags or other containers that don't have any labeling in case there’s any question about their origins.