Can You Take Food Through TSA? Which Foods Go in Your Carry On

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How to pack solid & liquid foods, plus how to handle baby items

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: January 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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Can you bring food past TSA?

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TSA Approved Food Items

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TSA Restricted Food Items

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How to Bring Food Through TSA

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FAQs

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Video

Going through TSA is nervewracking enough, but even more so when you're carrying food items. It seems like a guessing game figuring out what the TSA agents will let you keep or make you throw out. This article will take the uncertainty out of bringing food through TSA by listing allowed and restricted foods, along with exceptions for special food items like breast milk and baby formula. We'll also share our top tips for packing food in your carry-on to make passing TSA inspection hassle-free.

Can I bring food through TSA?

Yes, but with restrictions. TSA allows you to pack solid foods in your carry-on or checked bags with no amount limits (as long as the food item fits in the bag). But any food item in a liquid, gel, or aerosol form that you pack in your carry-on must not exceed 3.4 oz (100 mL). The exceptions are breast milk and baby formula.

Section 1 of 5:

Can you bring food past TSA?

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Yes, TSA allows you to bring solid foods, but no liquids over 3.4 oz (100 mL). For example, you can bring a sandwich from home through the TSA line – it can even have mayonnaise on it, as long as it doesn't make the sandwich excessively soggy. ^{[1]
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Research source} But if you want to bring an 8 oz (237 mL) jar of mayonnaise, you must pack it in your checked luggage. Otherwise, if it's in your carry-on, TSA will make you discard it. ^{[2]
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- It's ultimately up to each agent's discretion whether or not to allow a food item to pass through their checkpoint. If one of your food items raises their suspicions or triggers a security alarm for some reason, they have the authority to discard it – even if it's not on the restricted list and you packed it properly.

Section 2 of 5:

List of Food Items You Can Take Through TSA

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TSA allows you to pack any solid food item in your carry-on. As long as it fits in the bag and isn't a liquid, gel, aerosol, cream, or paste, you can bring it in any amount or quantity. That includes items like: ^{[3]
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- Bread
- Candy
- Cheese slices
- Chocolate (solid, like chocolate candy)
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Dried fruits
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Dry pet food
- Pies and cakes
- Pizza
- Protein or energy powders
- Salt
- Sandwiches
- Snack bars
- Snack items (i.e., pretzels, chips, etc.)
- Spices
- Tamales
- Tea bags or dried tea leaves
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TSA allows you to bring breast milk, formula, and baby juice. These items are considered medically necessary and aren't restricted by amount, meaning you can transport more than 3.4 oz (100 mL) of it in a single container. Anyone traveling with these items is encouraged to pack them in clear plastic bottles so they're easier for TSA agents to examine. ^{[4]
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- TSA also recommends letting the TSA agent know before they open your bag that you're carrying breast milk, baby formula, or baby juice to expedite the inspection process. You can also ask them not to X-ray the bottles if that's your preference.

Section 3 of 5:

List of Food Items TSA Restricts

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TSA restricts liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in carry-ons. Due to past incidents when TSA found liquid explosives in someone's carry-on luggage, they now only allow you to pack liquid or near-liquid items like gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in your carry-on if each one fits in a 3.4 oz (100 mL) (or smaller) container. Below is a list of foods that fall into these categories: ^{[5]
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- Alcohol (equal to or less than 140 proof or 70% alcohol)
- Bottled water
- Canned foods
- Cheese (creamy or liquid)
- Chocolate (liquid, like chocolate syrup)
- Coffee
- Creamy dips and spreads
- Fruit or vegetables (liquid or gel form)
- Gravy
- Honey
- Hummus
- Ice cream
- Jam and jelly
- Juices (not for babies)
- Maple syrup
- Oils and vinegars
- Peanut butter (and other nut butters)
- Wet pet food
- Salad dressing
- Salsa and sauces
- Soda
- Soups
- Yogurt

Section 4 of 5:

How to Bring Food Through TSA

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Even though TSA allows solid foods, the agents must still examine the items you bring through. To make the process flow as quickly as possible, store your snacks, sandwiches, and other solid foods in separate, clear containers. Then, when you pack them in your carry-on, put them in an easy-to-reach spot so you can remove them if a TSA agent requests you to do so.
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Follow the 3-1-1 rule when packing liquid foods in your carry-on. When packing your carry-on, TSA requires travelers to follow the 3-1-1 rule. This rule has three requirements: each separate liquid, gel, aerosol, cream, or paste must not exceed 3.4 oz (100 mL); all the separate containers for these items must fit in a zip-top, quart-sized plastic bag; and each passenger is only allowed one quart-sized plastic bag each. ^{[6]
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- If you're packing liquid food to go with your solid food, separate those items, as well. For example, if you're taking a salad through TSA, store the salad dressing in a 3.4 oz (100 mL) (or smaller) container and put it in a quart-sized plastic bag in your carry-on to adhere to the 3-1-1 rule.
Pack them in your carry-on and then inform the TSA agents before they start inspecting your bag that you're carrying these items for a baby or child (you don't have to have your child with you, though). The bottles can be larger than 3.4 oz (100 mL) as long as they fit neatly in your bag and are easy to remove when needed.
While TSA prohibits packing liquids in quantities higher than 3.4 oz (100 mL) in your carry-on, there are no such restrictions for your checked luggage. If you have a food item larger than 3.4 oz (100 mL) that doesn't fit into any of the solid food categories, pack it in your checked bag to avoid TSA throwing it out.

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Yes, providing you follow their 3-1-1 rule and pack all your food items properly. If you're traveling to the United States from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, avoid bringing fresh fruits and vegetables with you. This rule exists to prevent invasive plant pests from migrating to the mainland. ^{[7]
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Yes, as long as it's solid and doesn't have enough liquid to make it soggy.
Yes. Chips are on TSA's list of allowed solid foods. The chip bag can even be open (although keeping it open through the TSA checkpoint isn't recommended for sanitary purposes).
Yes, as long as the ice or gel packs you're using to keep your food cold is frozen completely solid. ^{[8]
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No, TSA doesn't allow unopened or open drinks in your carry-on. If you bring one with you, they'll ask you to empty it or discard it.
Yes, as long as the fast food is solid and not liquid. You'll also need to transfer any condiment packets that came with your meal to a quart-sized plastic bag in your carry-on. Remember to drink or throw away your fast food beverage before entering the TSA line, or they'll require you to discard it before allowing you through.