Rules for bringing food through TSA
Quick insights
- You may be able to bring snacks like a sandwich and chips through TSA in your carry-on bag.
- Many other food items—from live lobster to ice cream—are permissible in your checked or carry-on bags.
- For carry-on bags, liquids are limited to 3.4-ounce containers, which must be placed within a single quart-sized bag, but baby formula and breast milk are exempt from this rule.
It’s possible to bring food through TSA. Whether you want to bring back local delicacies from your vacation or pack a sandwich for the flight, you may be able to bring these items in your bags. Knowing TSA’s rules on food, drinks and other items could help you have a smoother experience at airport security.
In this article, we’ll learn what food items you may be able to bring on your next flight.
Understanding TSA food rules
Whether you’re checking a bag or carrying one onto the plane, your bags could be screened for any prohibited items, including food and beverages.
TSA allows you to bring many foods and beverages in your bags, and some additional items may be permitted if you follow certain restrictions. For example, TSA has strict rules around the quantity of liquids you may bring in a carry-on bag. Even if you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll still need to follow all TSA food rules.
Ultimately, it’s up to a TSA officer’s discretion whether an item is allowed through security. If you’re unsure about whether your food is permitted, you may be able to get a relatively quick response by reaching out to the AskTSA team through text or social media. Check the TSA website for current contact information.
TSA food rules for carry-on bags
There’s an art to packing a carry-on bag. Aside from the essential items you need, you might put non-perishable snacks for a long flight or any food you want to keep close for safekeeping in your carry-on bag. Here are the food and beverages that TSA usually allows you to bring onto the plane:
- Alcoholic beverages (equal to 140 proof or less)*
- Baby food in reasonable quantities
- Baby formula
- Bottled water*
- Bread
- Breast milk
- Candy
- Cereal
- Cheese (creamy)*
- Cheese (solid)
- Chocolate (liquid)*
- Chocolate (solid)
- Coffee (grounds or beans)
- Coffee (liquid)*
- Cooked meat, seafood and vegetables
- Cookies and crackers
- Creamy dips and spreads*
- Dried fruits
- Fresh eggs
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Fresh meat and seafood
- Frozen food
- Gel ice packs
- Gravy*
- Honey*
- Hummus*
- Ice cream*
- Jam or jelly*
- Juice for baby
- Juices*
- Maple syrup*
- Nuts
- Oils and vinegars*
- Peanut butter*
- Solid pet food
- Wet pet food*
- Pies and cakes
- Pizza
- Protein or energy powders
- Salad dressing*
- Salsa and sauces*
- Salt
- Sandwiches
- Snack bar
- Snacks
- Sodas*
- Solid foods
- Soups*
- Spices
- Tea leaves
- Water for babies
- Yogurt*
*These items must be 3.4 ounces or less.
While many liquid or creamy snacks or beverages are permitted, the rules around liquids means that most full-sized containers of these items likely won’t be allowed. For this reason, you may opt to purchase drinks and liquid snacks like soda or yogurt inside the airport after you’ve made your way through security.
You’ll usually find there are special instructions for how to pack baby formula, break milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and seafood, frozen food, canned food, gel ice packs and water or juice for a baby. Check the TSA website for complete details.
TSA food rules for checked bags
You may find that there are fewer limitations on the food items you can bring in a checked bag. For example, you won’t need to worry about the liquid rule as long as the item fits in your bag. Here’s what you may be allowed to bring in your checked bag:
- Alcoholic beverages (under 140 proof)
- Baby food
- Baby formula
- Bottled water
- Bread
- Breast milk
- Candy
- Canned foods
- Cereal
- Cheese (creamy)
- Cheese (solid)
- Chocolate (liquid)
- Chocolate (solid)
- Coffee (grounds or beans)
- Coffee (liquid)
- Cooked meat, seafood and vegetables
- Cookies and crackers
- Creamy dips and spreads
- Dried fruits
- Fresh eggs
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Fresh meat and seafood
- Frozen food
- Gel ice packs
- Gravy
- Honey
- Hummus
- Ice cream
- Jam or jelly
- Juice for baby
- Juices
- Maple syrup
- Nuts
- Oils and vinegars
- Peanut butter
- Solid and wet pet food
- Pies and cakes
- Pizza
- Protein or energy powders
- Salad dressing
- Salsa and sauces
- Salt
- Sandwiches
- Snack bar
- Snacks
- Sodas
- Solid foods
- Soups
- Spices
- Tea leaves
- Yogurt
Bringing baby food on a plane
Typically, breast milk, baby formula and food are considered medically necessary by TSA. Formula or milk won’t be subject to the same quantity limitations as other liquids, and you don’t have to put these items in a quart-sized bag.
Baby food is allowed in “reasonable quantities.” It’s possible there’s some variation in what an agent considers reasonable. You’ll probably need to remove any baby food from your carry-on when TSA screens your bag at the security checkpoint.
Bringing alcohol through TSA
Want to bring that bottle of wine back from your trip to Napa Valley? You might be able to if you follow TSA rules.
Full-sized bottles of alcohol are permitted in a checked bag as long as they don’t exceed 140 proof (up to 70% alcohol by volume).
For carry-on bags, alcohol is subject to the restriction on liquid quantities. Containers must be 3.4 ounces or less and fit in a quart-sized bag. Note that FAA regulations don’t allow the consumption of alcohol on board an aircraft unless served by a flight attendant.
In summary
From snacks to alcohol to baby formula, there’s a range of food and beverages you may be able to bring on your flight. For your carry-on bags, TSA allows liquids in 3.4 ounce containers or smaller if they’re placed in a single quart-size bag. The decision to allow an item through security is up to the discretion of the TSA agent.