Taking any form of food or drink with you when you fly has proven to be a challenge in the last 20 years, as antiterrorism rules have been implemented, but there are six popular snacks in particular that TSA has banned from airports and planes.
Understandably, you don't always want to rely on the post-security food selection when you fly because the prices can be difficult to stomach, and there are times when you'll want to take some goods home with you from a special trip.
Unfortunately, it's felt like a lottery for many travellers who still can't get their head around which items are OK and which will be confiscated by airport security. The TSA has now outlined six popular foods that you should avoid taking with you when you next fly.
Which foods have been banned by TSA?
As reported by TheStreet, TSA has now clarified which food goods are most commonly confiscated at airports across the United States, and they are as follows:
- Yoghurt
- Hummus
- Cream cheese
- Creamy dips and spreads
- Jam
- Peanut butter
You might notice a commonality between these six items, as they're all in that grey area between solid food and liquid that's hard to quantify, and that's exactly why attempting to take them with you poses such a risk.
Why are these foods banned?
While you might consider them all to be food - and they definitely are- TSA interprets them within the liquid category and thus subjects them to the stricter rules surrounding those types of items.
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Known as the '3-1-1 liquid rule', TSA indicates that flyers aren't allowed to bring any liquids, gels, or aerosols on board with them that are greater in volume than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters.
What makes things even more confusing is that the agency doesn't provide any clear guidance as to what items are and aren't allowed beyond this particular threshold, and leaves the judgment to officers at the airport.
This means that the fancy jam you bought as a present is at risk of disposal if it exceeds the aforementioned volume, and you probably won't be able to snack on some hummus and pitta either.
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One spokesperson for TSA has clarified that "if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it, or pour it," then it likely falls within the 3-1-1 rule's guidelines, and you should pack it into your checked luggage in order to prevent it from being confiscated.
You can still bring solid foods like crisps, hard sweets, and pretzels with your carry-on, giving you something to nibble away at while you wait for two hours for your gate to show up.