Food in your carry-on: what TSA allows

The simple rule

TSA says solid food can go in carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) are not allowed in carry-on bags and should go in checked bags. TSA may ask you to take food, powders and anything that clutters the bag out so the X-ray image is clear.

Allowed in carry-on as normal (solid food)

• Sandwiches, pizza, tamales, pies and cakes, cookies, crackers, bread, cereal, snack bars and snacks
• Cooked meat, seafood and vegetables with no liquid
• Solid cheese, solid chocolate, candy, gum and nuts
• Dried fruit, fresh eggs, salt and dry spices, dry tea and coffee beans or ground coffee
• Protein or energy powders
• Solid pet food; empty coffee thermos and other empty drink containers

Allowed only at 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less

• Drinks: bottled water, soda, juices, liquid coffee, mini bottles of alcohol (they must fit in the quart-sized bag)
• Spreads and dips: peanut butter, jam and jelly, honey, maple syrup, hummus, creamy dips and spreads, creamy cheese
• Sauces: gravy, salsa and sauces, salad dressing, oils and vinegars, soup
• Dairy and frozen desserts: yogurt, ice cream, liquid chocolate
• Wet pet food

Special instructions

• Fresh meat, seafood and frozen food: allowed in carry-on and checked bags. If packed with ice or ice packs, they must be completely frozen when screened. If they are partly melted and there is liquid at the bottom of the container, they are not allowed. Dry ice is allowed in carry-on or checked bags, limited by the FAA to five pounds, in a vented, marked package.
• Gel ice packs: allowed if frozen solid. If slushy or with liquid at the bottom they must meet the 3.4 ounce rule. Medically necessary gel ice packs in reasonable quantities are allowed whatever their state; tell the officer.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables: allowed in carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland cannot take most fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Canned food: TSA says it can need extra screening and may not be allowed through. It suggests packing it in checked baggage, shipping it, or leaving it at home.
• Baby food, formula and breast milk: exempt from the 3.4 ounce limit. See baby formula and breast milk rules.
• Live lobster: TSA says to check with the airline.
• Alcohol: check with your airline before bringing any on board. The FAA prohibits drinking alcohol on board unless served by a flight attendant. Drinks over 70% alcohol (140 proof) are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags.

Thanksgiving and holiday food

Cooked turkey and other cooked meat or vegetables with no liquid, and pies and cakes, are solid food and TSA lists them as allowed in carry-on. Gravy, sauces, soups and anything spreadable are limited to 3.4 ounces in carry-on, so pack them in checked bags. Fresh turkey kept cold with ice packs must have ice that is frozen solid at the checkpoint. TSA says to contact AskTSA for any item that is not on its list.

Source: TSA What Can I Bring? Food (all 59 items read on 5 November 2026). The final decision rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint.

Frequently asked questions