Can we bring frozen food in our carryon?

[VanessasMom]

Ok, we are one of the only people on here that are actually not planning on eating in the parks. We are staying in a DVC at the BWV. My dd has reflux and all the new foods will definitely not sit well with her. So, I am cooking our meals. I was wondering if we could bring some frozen meat or casseroles in a cooler bag as a carryon? Is food allowed to be carried on like that?

 

[Brilliant_5]

Yes you may but it probably won't remain frozen and may even thaw enough to leak all over the place.

 

[all4fun]

The problem is, you won't be able to keep it frozen because things like blue ice or regular ice won't be allowed.

Have you considered having food delivered ie from gardengrocer.com? or just going to the market once you get there.

I sympathize with the reflux issues. My ds had that as an infant.

hth.

 

[NotUrsula]

As long as it isn't a frozen liquid (like red sauce, for instance, or soup) yes, you probably could, but you would need to freeze it VERY hard and pack it very carefully so that it will not be badly thawed by the time you arrive.

In a situation like this, you would want to go for core temperature density, so you would want to freeze it in a thick block shape, not flat as you would for quick thawing; don't freeze it the night before, either -- do it in a deep-freeze and have it frozen for at least about 4 days before you take it out of the freezer. You would want to layer about an entire roll of crumpled paper towels on the bottom, top and sides of your carryon cooler (which would need to fit under the seat in front of you, btw; leaking from an overhead bin would be MUCH more serious.) Layering with paper insulates and keeps it much colder. Obviously, you would want to put the food itself in something with a good solid seal.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Some people check a cooler. Could you pack a really good cooler with block or dry ice and then check it as luggage?? Never did this flying but have packed frozen prepared foods when going on beach or lake vacations and it worked wonderfuly. Stayed solid for the 6 hours or so we need to get there.

 

[NotUrsula]

Water ice and dry ice are NOT allowed in ordinary checked baggage. (Dry ice is only allowed when packed by a licensed freight shipper, and it has to be packed in a specially-vented container.)

Frozen foods can be checked, but it is a very bad idea. If the bag went astray the food would thaw and spoil, which would mean you were not only out your food, but other people would have to deal with the smell of the rot emanating from the luggage. If you REALLY need that kind of quantity, it is best to have someone FedEx it to you overnight in a commercial food shipment carton.

 

[mommiepoppins]

We have done it in the past. In our checked and carryon ( a friend did it the checked and it was fine). I freeze a block of mozzerella cheese and that usually works well as an ice block. I sometimes use to

 

[mamacatnv]

I don't know about the carry on - I doubt they would let it on, but if they do then use bags of frozen veggies (peas/string beans) to keep it cold. That is how we kept our sandwiches cold when we flew in Dec. (great tip I got here on the Dis)

I have been at the Seattle and Portland airports when people have brought in coolers full of fresh fish from their fishing trips and checked them into baggage as a piece of luggage. The coolers were not sealed up until they were at baggage check in and they did not contain ice they were packed with the gel packs.

 

[TheDizMom]

I think trying to travel with it might be very difficult. Have you looked into shipping it down by UPS or Fed-Ex . They may be able to ship it in a styrofoam cooler with lots of dry ice to keep it frozen. Schwans has sent me things via UPS ground . The dry ice usually lasts quite a while so I think it would work. I would try contacting them to ask. I know people ship things down all the time. I certainly sympathize with you my DD had reflux as a baby.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Have you thought about renting a car and stopping at a supermarket?