Published on : 07 July 20208 min reading time

If you have ever had to eat airport food, razed and expensive, you may have wondered: “Am I allowed to bring food to airport security? Bringing your own food would be ideal, not to mention the fact that it will be cheaper. It would be nice to avoid stomach cramps in the middle of the flight.

But with security guards becoming more and more strict, it can become difficult to know exactly what you are entitled to or not. Many people have had to empty whole bottles of water or even confiscated jam jars while passing through the security gate.

Can I bring food to the air traffic control checkpoint?

So, can you bring food during the security check and on the plane or do you have to settle for snacks found on the spot?

Well, the short answer is yes, you can. You can bring your own food as long as it fits into the aerial criteria. Of course, international flights tend to be stricter than domestic flights, but most airlines allow you to fly with no problem.

However, before you decide to take your own food on the flight, remember that security will probably ask you to place the food in separate boxes from your luggage for inspection. If you are late, it may add a few more minutes when you go through security screening. You should also be prepared to answer a few questions about what you are bringing on board. The entire process can sometimes cause delays.

Can I bring snacks during an airport security check?

As a general rule, you can bring solid food that has been properly sealed in a leak-proof container. Snacks in their original packages generally pass well as they are closed, labelled and easy to identify. So you are free to bring your own small packs of peanuts and protein bars.

Can I bring cookies to air traffic control?

Good news for those who love sweets: most cookies, bread and other baked goods can be made safe. In fact, you can even take a whole cake if it is well placed, in its packaging and contains no liquid. For example, an apple cake or even a chocolate cake will probably pass, but something like jelly, ice cream cake or cheesecake will probably be refused.

Cheesecake! But it’s not liquid!

Yes, products like cheesecake will probably not pass. Why? It is because it contains liquid.

Most passengers are aware of the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, which expresses the fact that you can take 100 millilitres of liquid (3.4 oz in English) and that all these liquids must appear in a single small transparent bag.

While this rule is simple to follow, it causes confusion if food does not have visible liquid. For example, canned food is often a source of confusion such as jams, gels, condiments and any type of sauce.

Even some types of cheese that look like solid cheese, because they are covered with rind, do not fit the rules. Cheese such as camembert, brie and blue are considered liquids and must be included in the 3-1-1 rule.

In fact, any type of dough and creamy material is considered to be liquids including peanut butter, chocolate spread, pâté, hummus, and yes, even cheesecake.

Can I bring chips to airport security checks?

As the chips are packaged, there is normally no problem with them. Whether it is potato chips, tortillas or even organic kale chips, all types of chips are welcome on board. Remember not to eat them when everyone is asleep. Noise can be really disturbing.

Can I bring alcohol on a plane?

The alcohol on board can be really tricky. Alcoholic beverages must obviously follow the 3-1-1 rule as well, but that is not the only problem. If the drink exceeds 70 degrees, it cannot be carried in your luggage. So it’s better to leave this bottle of vodka and bottle of rum behind you!

Can I bring canned or canned food?

Most foods closed in plastic or aluminium can be taken away and passed to safety. However, for canned food, it is more complicated. This is because the food in these boxes often contains liquid, which means that the 3-1-1 rule must be followed. In addition, preservatives are not easily X-rayed and are difficult to check, which a safety issue is.

If you absolutely want to bring a tin can by plane, pack them in your luggage. Unfortunately, a canned tuna or bean snack is not an option on an airplane.

Can I bring homemade food with me during airport security checks?

It should be easy to bring home food by plane, but some choices can be difficult. Packaged snacks such as bread, cereals, candy and crackers usually pass without problems, but if you want to prepare your own food, you have to be careful how you pack it and also how much liquid you need.

Dinners made with sauce or soup is NO, you can’t take Grandma’s spaghetti on board. On the other hand, sandwiches are no problem. However, you must be careful with condiments. Most security personnel let it through, but if there is liquid floating at the bottom, they will certainly tell you to throw it away.

When packing your food, be sure to place it in a sealed, waterproof and resealable box. Pack some plastic packaging if necessary. Transparent boxes are best to allow security to see through quickly.

And of course, think of the other passengers. Avoid shipping food that smells strong. You don’t want people to complain about the stench during the flight.

Can I bring fresh produce to airport security checks?

Fresh products such as fresh meat, seafood, fresh fruit, vegetables, and even eggs are generally used for transport as long as they are packaged in such a way as to avoid odour, juice and leakage. Although a lot of food is not allowed on board, you can take these products with you in the cabin.

However, it should be noted that this applies only to domestic flights, international flights are often very strict on fresh produce, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. This prevents the invasion of certain species or diseases into new environments. It is important to always check with immigration and customs if you want to bring fresh produce on your flight.

What if I need to take food for my baby?

If you are travelling with a child, up to 2 years old, airlines will allow you to bring your own food and as much as you want! They have expanded the possibilities of bringing juices, milks and baby food on board to feed your child.

But don’t forget to declare them! Even if it is baby food or a powdered formula, you must declare it to customs to avoid a delay.

Although food, breast milk, distilled water and other baby foods are not included in the 3-1-1 rule, security officials expect you to bring a reasonable amount that is just enough for your trip. Keep the products in an accessible place, as they may be scanned. Expect security to open and smell the containers.

Enjoy your meal!

Travelling with food can make queues long and your flight less pleasant. Although it takes a little work to make sure it meets airline criteria, it’s worth eating what you like and not complaining about a gurgling belly.

Still not sure what to take to security? If there is anything you are unsure about, you can always contact the airline and ask them directly. If you are travelling in the United States, you can download the MyTSAapp application or you can take a picture and ask if you are allowed to take it with you.

So don’t worry and take your own snacks on the plane. Once you board, all you have left is to enjoy the meal.