8 Surprising Foods You Can't Bring On Airplanes
Spare yourself the "Is this your bag?" TSA walk of shame.
You know the rules: Liquids over 3.4 ounces are not allowed through security. But what exactly qualifies as a liquid? The line is a little blurry. TSA has explanations for a long list of foods and beverages that fall into the gray area and recommends following this general rule of thumb: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, pack it in your checked bag.
Below are some of the most useful no-no's to make note of before holiday travel. Hot tip: If you're wondering what else is or isn't allowed, you can always tweet @TSA. They respond fairly quickly and have a surprisingly hilarious social media presence.
Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
If you're transporting booze, don't bring anything over 140 proof, or 70 percent ABV. This includes 151 proof rum, like Bacardi, and grain alcohol. If the alcohol is less than 70% ABV, you can pack up to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) in your checked bag.
As for what you can bring on-board, mini bottles of alcohol must be able to "comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag."
Gravy
Don't let TSA derail dinner! Gravy can only be brought through in a carry-on if it is under 3.4 ounces, though it's fine to be checked in your luggage (albeit risky—nobody wants gravy spilling out everywhere).
Creamy cheese
Creamy cheeses are considered liquids, so make sure that you've got 3.4 ounces or less if you're bringing on something like brie or goat cheese. Or, make your plane snacks a little less bougie and bring string cheese instead.
Salsa
Okay, we can kind of see how this would be a liquid, but just keep it in mind if you're trying to bring food through security (looking at you, Moe's and your massive sides) or bringing a jar on vacation. If it's over 3.4 ounces, it has to be checked.
Ice packs, if thawed
Quite possibly the silliest rule we've seen, ice packs are fine if they are fully frozen when you go through security, but if they are at all thawed, they're classified a liquid. How did this come up? A turducken, of course.
Cupcakes in a jar
In oddly specific news, this cupcake in a jar was confiscated over the holidays in 2011 after TSA classified it as a liquid or gel, saying it violated the 3-1-1 rule. (Passengers can bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint, limited to 3.4 ounces or less per item.)
Turns out these Pinterest-worthy baked goods are not allowed in your carry on. In response to the incident, Wicked Good Cupcakes made light of the situation with a "National (Security) Velvet" Cupcake in a Jar.
Peanut Butter and Nutella
Whether you're a creamy or crunchy kinda person, or addicted to Nutella, these two spreads count as a liquid, so they have to follow the 3-1-1 rule.
Canned Chili (or Soup, or Sauce)
Cans, even when sealed, must be checked. This goes for chili, soup, sauces (including cranberry), and veggies.
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