Food on checked baggage?

[akashellrae]

Hi, I'm having trouble finding my answer on the Jetblue or Portland airport websites. I was planning on taking food on my checked bag then using the bag to pack things we buy for the trip home. I just don't know if I'm allowed to bring produce, I would love to bring manderin oranges and the little bags of sliced apples, and the little bags of baby carrots. I thought the apples and carrots would be fine if I pack them with ice packs then put them in the fridge at the hotel. I'm I crazy to do this or am I even allowed. I'm planning other snacks too like energy bars and such and I think those will be fine. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks

 

[carebee21]

I would call the airline and ask to be sure. I know you can bring the fruit and veggies on the plane(as long as it's not a fruit cup with the fruit in juice), but I don't think you're going to be allowed to bring the icepack on the plane..

 

[Ariel224]

Aside from the airline regulations, there are the California Dept of Food & Agriculture quarantine issues to be considered with respect to what fruits and veggies can legally be brought into the state. Coming from Oregon, the apples and carrots should be fine, but citrus of any kind would be illegal. I'm not condoning breaking the law, but how CDFA could ever enforce these regulations when dealing with airline travel is beyond me.

 

[sierranevada]

I have taken food - including citrus - on many trips in my checked luggage. I cut out pieces of cardboard to line a soft sided cooler and put the food in that with an ice pack and have never had an issue. The only time I had to toss my citrus after landing was to Hawaii.

As carebee21 said, you can't take an ice pack on the plane so if you decide to carry it on, just bring a zip lock and fill it with ice after you clear security.

 

[Susie63]

We use frozen yogurt tubes. Keeps everthing cool and pop into the fridge when you get to the hotel.

 

[skiingfast]

This is interesting because as noted you can't bring fruit into California. However you can carry on over and beyond the carryon allowance your lunch. No body has ever questioned me about what i brought or where I was going. I have taken apples, grapes, oranges. I also have cheked a suitcase with a tupperwear in it. Crackers, cookies, and laughing cow cheese for snacks.