Can you bring food on a plane? The policies explained

Can you bring food on a plane?

• Solid foods like sandwiches, fruits, and baked goods are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage with no restrictions
• Liquids, spreads, and pourable foods (soups, sauces, nut butters) must be under 3.4 oz and fit in a single quart bag
• Perishable items can be kept cold with completely frozen ice packs, but partially melted ice packs are prohibited at security

Whether you’re packing an edible souvenir or an essential plane snack for a long-haul flight, bringing food on a plane is often a necessity. However, knowing the policies for what you can and can’t bring through security and into international customs can make for a more smooth trip. We’ve gathered what you need to know about flying with food in our guide below.

What are the TSA regulations for flying with food?

Solid foods are generally hassle free when it comes to TSA (Transportation Security Administration) regulations. However, foods that can spill, spread, spray, pump, or pour—such as soups, sauces, jams, yogurts, soft cheeses, and nut butters—are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

This rule is the key to traveling with food on planes: Each liquid must be in a 3.4 oz or less container (the "3" in the rule) or 100 ml, all containers must be placed inside one clear quart-sized plastic bag (the first "1" in the rule) and each passenger is only allowed one such plastic bag (the second "1" in the rule).

What food can you bring on a plane?

If you’re flying in economy class on a longer flight, it’s a wise idea to bring food aboard if you don’t want to buy it on the plane. Budget airlines in particular don’t provide any complimentary food or snacks, so bringing food on the plane can stave off hunger.

To save money and stay satiated, many passengers become proactive when it comes to flying with food, both for during the flight and to enjoy when back at home. Solid foods like sandwiches, baked goods, fresh fruits, vegetables, and dry snacks in both your carry-on and checked luggage pose no issue, while softer foods and liquids have precise protocols.

Self-packed food

Bringing self-packed food on a domestic flight within the US is generally allowed, but there are important TSA guidelines to follow:

Solid foods:

• Items like sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and dry snacks are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.
• Ensure these items are easily accessible, as TSA officers may ask you to remove them from your bag during screening to facilitate clear X-ray images. ​

Liquids, gels, and spreadable foods:

• Foods that can spill, spread, spray, pump, or pour—such as soups, sauces, jams, yogurts, and nut butters—are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
• Larger quantities of these items should be placed in checked luggage.​

Duty-free purchases from domestic flights

If you're traveling within the US, bringing duty-free food in your carry-on is usually pretty easy, especially if it’s solid items. Just keep in mind there are a few TSA policies you’ll need to follow.

• Items such as chocolates, candies, baked goods, and other non-liquid foods are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage. For foods with more liquidity, amounts are limited to under 3.4 oz, with larger quantities regulated to checked luggage.

Duty-free purchases from international flights:

If you're arriving from an international destination and have a connecting domestic flight, you may carry duty-free liquids exceeding 3.4 oz in your carry-on, provided:

• The items are packed in a secure, tamper-evident bag (STEB) by the retailer.
• The original receipt is present and the purchase was made within the past 48 hours.
• The items can be screened and cleared by TSA.

Snacks you can bring on a plane

You can pack just about any snacks you want, but certain foods come with more restrictions than others.

Snacks subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule:

If it can be spread or poured, quantities are limited. ​Examples of typical snack that fall within the 3-1-1 rule include:

• Peanut butter​
• Hummus​
• Creamy dips​
• Jams and preserves​
• Yogurt​
• Pudding​
• Salsa​
• Honey​

If these items exceed 3.4 oz (100 ml), they should be placed in checked luggage.​

Keeping food coldIf you're bringing perishable snacks that need to stay cold, you can use ice packs. However, ice packs must be completely frozen when presented at the security checkpoint. Partially melted or slushy ice packs with any liquid at the bottom are not permitted.

One idea is to keep food cold with frozen grapes in a small zip lock bag. This winning strategy allows you to avoid the potential TSA issues that arise when freezer blocks melt.

Dry ice:When traveling by air with dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have specific regulations to ensure safety:

• Quantity limit: You're allowed to carry up to 5.5 lbs of dry ice per person, whether in carry-on or checked baggage.
• Packaging: The container must be vented to allow carbon dioxide gas to escape, preventing pressure buildup.
• Labeling: The package must be clearly marked with "DRY ICE" or "CARBON DIOXIDE, SOLID," and indicate the net weight of the dry ice or confirm it's 5.5 lbs or less.
• Airline approval: You must obtain approval from your airline before traveling with dry ice.

Souvenirs

During your travels, you might be tempted to bring back a sampling of local foods. Choose wisely, especially if you only have a carry-on.

Spices:

Spices, for example, make for excellent souvenirs. Because they're dried, they're generally okay to bring in your carry-on or checked luggage. Make sure they're clearly labeled and unopened, so they're not mistaken for other substances.

If you're looking for a good souvenir for a foodie, buy spices you can't find at home.

Fresh eggs are allowed in your carry-on and checked baggage, as TSA does not consider them a liquid.

• Carry-on bags: Fresh eggs are allowed in your carry-on luggage. TSA officers may ask you to separate them from other items during screening, so it's advisable to pack them in an easily accessible location.
• Checked bags: You can also place fresh eggs in your checked baggage. Ensure they're well-protected to withstand the handling of checked luggage.​

Tips for traveling with fresh eggs

• Use a sturdy container: Pack eggs in a hard-sided container or a specialized egg carrier to minimize the risk of cracking.​
• Keep them cool: If you need to keep the eggs cool, you can use ice packs. However, the ice packs must be completely frozen when you go through security; partially melted packs may not be permitted. ​
• Labeling: Clearly label the container as "fresh eggs" to inform TSA officers and airline personnel.​

Other permitted food items:

• Coffee beans, loose tea leaves, or dry tea sachets are all considered dry goods, so they're covered by the solid food policies.
• Cooked foods of any kind, as long as there are no liquids, are safe to fly in both carry-on and checked baggage – your food item may require additional screening to carry it on if it’s wrapped in aluminum foil.
• Raw meat must be packed with dry ice and the dry ice has to be properly packaged.

Special considerations for food on a plane

What food can't you bring on an airplane?

Travelers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands to the US mainland are prohibited from bringing most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests.

Can you bring open food and self-packed through TSA?

Yes, but the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer. ​

FAQs

Can you bring frozen food on a plane?

Frozen solid foods such as meat, seafood, vegetables, baked goods, and casseroles are allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage.

Can you travel with breast milk on a plane?

Baby food, formula, breast milk, and toddler drinks are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit but must be declared at security and may undergo additional screening.

Can you bring baby food on a plane?

TSA has long permitted travelers to carry baby food, formula, breast milk, and toddler drinks in quantities exceeding the standard 3.4-ounce limit for liquids in carry-on baggage. These items are considered as medically necessary liquids so are exempt from normal guidelines.

Allowed items: Baby food, including jars, puree pouches, and toddler snacks, is permitted in carry-on bags.​

You may bring more than the standard 3.4 ounce limit for liquids. Baby food is considered a medically necessary liquid and is exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule.​

Screening process:

• Inform TSA officers: At the beginning of the screening process, notify TSA officers you're carrying baby food.
• Separate screening: Remove baby food items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.
• Additional screening: TSA officers may need to test the baby food for explosives or concealed prohibited items.​

Can you bring holiday food on a plane?

Holiday foods of a solid nature are generally permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage. Examples include:​

• Baked goods like pies, cakes, cookies, brownies
• Cooked or uncooked meats like turkey, ham, chicken
• Casseroles and stuffing
• Macaroni and cheese
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Chocolates, candy canes, and fruitcakes​

These items can be transported in your carry-on bag, but they may require additional screening. It's advisable to place them in an easily accessible location within your bag and remove them for separate screening at the checkpoint.​

Foods that are liquids, gels, or spreadable and exceed 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags. These should be packed in your checked luggage:

• Gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Wine and champagne
• Eggnog
• Maple syrup and jams
• Canned goods with liquid content​

How can I make the screening process smoother?

The secret to smooth travel is leaving plenty of time for eventualities as well as staying organized – and contained. Keep your food in zip lock bags and consolidate all your food into its own designated pouch, bag, or packing cube.

Tips for a smooth screening process:

• Organize your carry-on to allow easy access to food items
• Place food items in a separate bin during X-ray screening if requested
• Arrive at the airport early to account for potential additional screening of food items