TSA allows solid food in carry-on and checked bags. Food that spreads, pours or scoops, like peanut butter, yogurt or soup, counts as a liquid, so a carry-on can hold it only in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less.
By its everyday name, such as sandwiches or peanut butter.
TSA’s answer
Type an item, or pick one: sandwiches, peanut butter, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen food, pies and cakes.
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Solid food: either bag
Sandwiches, snacks, baked goods, fruit and cooked food with no liquid are fine in a carry-on or a checked bag. At the checkpoint, officers may ask you to take food out of your bag, because it can clutter the X-ray image, so pack it where you can reach it.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwiches | Yes | Yes |
| Pizza | Yes | Yes |
| Snacks | Yes | Yes |
| Bread | Yes | Yes |
| Cookies | Yes | Yes |
| Crackers | Yes | Yes |
| Pies and cakes | Yes | Yes |
| Solid cheese | Yes | Yes |
| Solid chocolate | Yes | Yes |
| Nuts | Yes | Yes |
| Dried fruits | Yes | Yes |
| Fresh eggs | Yes | Yes |
| Cooked meat, seafood and vegetables with no liquid | Yes | Yes |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
| Fresh meat and seafood | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
| Frozen food | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
| Canned foods | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
Food TSA counts as a liquid
These go through the 3-1-1 rule in a carry-on: containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all in one quart-size bag. A full jar or tub goes in your checked bag.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Creamy cheese | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Creamy dips and spreads | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Hummus | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Jam and jelly | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Honey | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Maple syrup | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Yogurt | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Soups | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Salsa and sauces | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Gravy | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Salad dressing | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Oils and vinegars | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Ice cream | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Liquid chocolate | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
Frozen food, ice and ice packs
TSA allows frozen food in a carry-on. Ice or ice packs packed with it must be completely frozen when you reach screening: if they’ve partly melted and there’s liquid at the bottom of the cooler, they won’t be permitted. Frozen perishables can also travel on dry ice, which the FAA rule limits to 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) per person, with your airline’s approval, in a package that lets the gas escape. TSA’s fresh meat and seafood entry gives the limit as five pounds, so 5 pounds or less meets both.
Canned food and fruit from Hawaii
Canned food isn’t banned, but TSA says it can look unclear on the X-ray and may need more screening, so it suggests a checked bag. Most fresh fruit and vegetables can’t go from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland, because of plant pests.
Flying from the UK
UK security (gov.uk, October 2026) counts soup, jam, honey and syrups as liquids, limited to 100 ml containers at most airports. You usually can’t carry frozen food or ice packs in hand luggage, and food may mean your bag gets checked again by hand.