Food through security?

[kjs1976]

Hi
Can someone tell me if I'm on track with this...I checked out the TSA website, but it talked more of liquids than food.

Can we indeed bring packaged food from home in our carry on through security and then on the plane? DH likes to have Twizzlers on the plane and I might have a granola bar or something.

Also, we're bringing packets of oatmeal and coffee/cream/sugar I seperated into plastic baggies for the resort....is it better to have this in the carry-on or checked luggage?

Thanks a million!!!!

 

[bradk]

as long as it isn't liquid or gel in nature, yes.

 

[Hannathy]

My opinion is the more you can put into the checked bags the better, because if they see something as they are scanning your bag and have to go thru it the least amount of stuff in there the better. Last trip I brought a Ham sandwich and piece of chocolate cake from POP on the plane thru security.

 

[mmessler]

And as of right now, is it still ok to bring onto the plane any bottles of water or juice that were purchased post security check?

 

[bradk]

yes, anything purchased after security is okay for the plane.

the TSA actually advises against taking too much food in checked bags as it may result in a false positive and target your bag for a hand check.

 

[mamacatnv]

We took a small soft sided cooler filled with sandwiches, cookie packets, chip packets, apple slices and string cheese without any issues.

We also had mayo and mustard packets that we put into our 1qt bags to present to the TSA agents at security.

We kept it cold with a bag of frozen string beans.

No problems at all.

 

[CleveRocks]

Just be careful of foods that are liquid or gel in nature, such as yogurt, a jar of jelly, etc. There are no restrictions on foods that are not liquid or gel.

But be warned ... if it smells really yummy and you're sitting within 5 rows of me I'll ask you for a bite ....

 

[katerkat]

I'm assuming chocolate isn't going to be a problem? I've never been flagged and I've always had snacks for my son (in fact, we've had juice and milk in his sippies and most agents haven't cared - he's a toddler, not a baby, but MOST agents haven't had a problem.) But this time I'm traveling with a 2 lb chocolate card MIL wanted me to give DH and I don't want to check it.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm assuming chocolate isn't going to be a problem? I've never been flagged and I've always had snacks for my son (in fact, we've had juice and milk in his sippies and most agents haven't cared - he's a toddler, not a baby, but MOST agents haven't had a problem.) But this time I'm traveling with a 2 lb chocolate card MIL wanted me to give DH and I don't want to check it.

Again, just think "liquid or gel." Is the chocolate you're bringing chocolate milk, or chocolate pudding? If it is, you'll not be able to get it through. But solid (candy bar, sculpture, chips, powdered, etc.) chocolate is no problem at all.

For ANY items to go through airport security, just ask yourself "is it a liquid or a gel?"

 

[katerkat]

Again, just think "liquid or gel." Is the chocolate you're bringing chocolate milk, or chocolate pudding? If it is, you'll not be able to get it through. But solid (candy bar, sculpture, chips, powdered, etc.) chocolate is no problem at all.

For ANY items to go through airport security, just ask yourself "is it a liquid or a gel?"

Well, if it sits too long under a heater..... I'm still debating the Swedish Fish. Kinda gel like. But they get gummy in the boy's mouth and keep him quiet longer...

 

[goofy4tink]

Just be careful of foods that are liquid or gel in nature, such as yogurt, a jar of jelly, etc. There are no restrictions on foods that are not liquid or gel.

But be warned ... if it smells really yummy and you're sitting within 5 rows of me I'll ask you for a bite ....

Good thing you didn't fly with us last Oct...dd's chocolate birthday cake would have driven you nuts!!!!
I got that through security with only a minimum of fuss. It was a huge cake that we just couldn't leave behind, so the CMs at the GF Cafe boxed it up very securely for us. It went in my carryon bag, but that was all I could fit in the bag. When it went through security, they kept running it backwards, then forward, then back again...they just couldn't figure out what it was. They called their fellow agents over, they all looked. Finally asked me if I had a wheel of cheese in there...ah, no...just leftover birthday cake!!! Yes, it was that size/shape. They just laughed and let it go through.

I try to pack the majority of my food products in my checked bags. Candy has never been an issue for my carryon, and I have taken Twizzlers on.

 

[stahshee]

can we bring the small juice boxes of juicy juice?

 

[mamacatnv]

can we bring the small juice boxes of juicy juice?

From what I have read this depends on the agent and the age of the children flying with you. My DD was 8

I had 1 box (juice box size) of chocolate milk for DD to go with her breakfast that we brought with us. The box exceeded the 3 oz's and they took it from us. The TSA agent told us that we could purchase chocolate milk once we got thru security (which we did).

However I have read of people with small kids that could bring a juice box or 2 - I would be prepared to have to surrender it.

We were able to get apple juice on the planes from the flight attendants, maybe make sure you have some empty sippy cups just in case.

 

[annieb727]

One thing I decided...is they aren't going to allow me to bring my own drinks, they cannot get upset when you ask them (nicely of course) for water or juice on the plane. I did this back in October...i was SO thirsty, that I had to keep asking for more water - one lady seemed a little annoyed, but complied anyway.

 

[goofy4tink]

For those needing juices, there are plenty of kiosks once you get past the security areas that you can buy juice, water, milk..pretty much whatever you need to drink. I would plan on bringing your kids' sippie cups, then buy some juice and pour it into the cup. We used to bring a bottle of water each, but now have to buy it on 'the other side' so to speak. But, we never get on a plane without our bottle of water...never!

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's a reasonable opinion; on the other hand, it should be noted there are two different "they"s here. The TSA "they" made the rules, and probably really doesn't care whether or how thirsty a passenger is. The airline "they" is the entity that incurs the repercussions of that decision.