Food Thru Airport Security Question

[PoohJen]

Hello Dissers!
I know one of you will know the answer to this....

I am traveling by plane with my family - can I pack PB&J sandwiches to eat on the plane (i.e., any problems with security)?

Is food (not drinks) in general a problem when going through airport security?

Thanks!

 

[Melissa S]

I have never had a problem with carrying on food on the plane. My parents live in Florida so everytime I visit them I bring them bread from my bakery (Rockland Bakery) and meats from the Polish deli. It takes up my entire carry on, so I wouldn't think a couple sandwiches would cause trouble. I only had a problem once two years ago when I had food in my checked luggage and they opened some containers and didn't close them so all the food was ruined. From that point on I only put it in my carry on so I can answer questions if needed.

 

[ericalynn1979]

No problems that I'm aware of, but you may run into a rogue TSA agent that thinks the peanut butter is too liquidy and therefore needs to be thrown out. No applesauce, jello, liquid-y type foods allowed but a sandwich should be fine.

Just note, they probably wouldn't allow a ice pack to go through unless it's chilling breast milk or baby food/formula.

 

[NAB]

I would be careful with the peanut butter too. Since you do not know if it will be a peanut free flight or not. To many peanut allergies out there. Now ohter type of sandwiches should be fine.

 

[CarolAnnC]

The TSA states if the peanut butter & jelly exceeds 3.4 oz it must go in checked baggage. Here is a link to their site..it was discussed over the holidays there.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/holiday.shtm

 

[kristinfly2]

There is a little known exemption to the TSA rules! If you are traveling with small children you can bring any types of food or liquid through as long as it is for consumption on the plane and at the airport. If you go on the TSA website it is under the section about traveling with small children. You do need to pack them in a separate bag and present them at security for them to inspect. I travel with my DD 3 and DS 5 once a month and I bring pb and js, juice cups and yogurt. You are also allowed to bring liquid medicine (Tylenol, Advil , etc ) in the original container and they can be over 3 ounces. I pack all of that stuff in a separate lunch cooler and just let them know when I go through!

 

[jetskigrl]

No problems that I'm aware of, but you may run into a rogue TSA agent that thinks the peanut butter is too liquidy and therefore needs to be thrown out. No applesauce, jello, liquid-y type foods allowed but a sandwich should be fine.

Just note, they probably wouldn't allow a ice pack to go through unless it's chilling breast milk or baby food/formula.

We got around the no ice pack issue by freezing grapes. They kept everything cold and we had them to snack on too.

 

[mickeymousepuppy]

We have always brought snacks on flights, and made PB&J for after we are off the plain - just in case of allergies. I have a friend with allergies, so I am extra aware of this issue. One trip, I brought the PB&J supplies in the carry on to make them when we got to the hotel. The jelly was confiscated, although they did tell us they would hold it for us until we returned . Very nice I thought. On another trip, my husband threw a few cans of unused veggies - also a well known threat, so we lost only our cream corn. Any other solid snacks have been fine. We also brought frozen baby back ribs in a carry on once. They joked about eating them, but not a problem!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks for the great info, everyone! Some interesting info there!

 

[rosermama]

We always have brought some left over food or special food from our area with us as a carry on with no problem. As long as you are flying a US city to a US city (CA and Hawaii have some exceptions) you can carry food through (meaning it doesnt have to be consumed on the plane)

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy Note using DISBoards

 

[Jestocost]

PB&J on a sandwich are fine, although as at least one PP has noted you might have a problem if the plane is designated as peanut free and someone with a severe allergy is on board. Peanut butter and jelly in jars or in packets, however, fall under the liquid/gel rules. Confusing enough?

Same thing with items like mayo, ketchup and mustard. Put them on a sandwich and there's no issue. Carry them in bottles, jars or packets and you hit the 3-1-1 rules on liquids and gels.

Ice and ice packs also are a no-no except in certain circumstances.

 

[CarolAnnC]

We have packed frozen Daisy hot dogs in our carryons in plastic and tinfoil and they have stayed frozen solid from Chicago to Florida. They would make a good ice pack for those keeping other items cold, too.

Just a note to the OP, these hints are for the airplane - taking food on or off the ship is another whole issue, of course.

 

[PoohJen]

Exactly, Jestocost (regarding confusing)!

I'm glad you mentioned the mayo packs - I was wondering about that. Geez, doesn't it seem like I could put the mayo packs in my clear plastic bag with my shampoo?

 

[ericalynn1979]

Exactly, Jestocost (regarding confusing)!

I'm glad you mentioned the mayo packs - I was wondering about that. Geez, doesn't it seem like I could put the mayo packs in my clear plastic bag with my shampoo?

You could, as long as the pack is less than 3 ounces (which it is). I had to stick a couple of ketchup packs into my quart baggie once because DD is crazy and had to make sure she had ketchup with her sandwich.

 

[sue]

When we fly, I bring a soft sided cooler (small purse size). I bring 2 gallon size ziplock bags with. I go through security and go directly to the subway sandwich restaurant in the airport. I order up four 6" subs and place them in the cooler. I then go to the beverage station at the restaurant and fill one bag with ice, zip it shut and place that one inside the empty bag again zipping that one shut. I then place it on top of all the subs. As long as you have passed through security, they don't care if you have liquids on the plane. This works great for having food on the plane and I just throw out the ice when we arrive at our destination.

 

[TDC Nala]

You should be good with a sandwich, but you cannot carry a jar of peanut butter or jelly through security.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

I am Flying to Vancouver next summer. I have a friend who lives there who used to live here in NJ. I want to bring him a roll of Taylor Ham. (it's a NJ thing) Will I be able to take it on in my carry-on or checked luggage?

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am Flying to Vancouver next summer. I have a friend who lives there who used to live here in NJ. I want to bring him a roll of Taylor Ham. (it's a NJ thing) Will I be able to take it on in my carry-on or checked luggage?

Either one will work. My in-laws who now live in FL miss their Chicago hot dogs, hence why we freeze and take them in our carryon. We do not want to chance them leaking in our checked bag which has our clothes. We even have shipped them down during Christmas for them.

It is nice to bring some regional foods to those who miss them. I have some "Boston" favorites that I often bring back from there, too.

 

[PoohJen]

I am Flying to Vancouver next summer. I have a friend who lives there who used to live here in NJ. I want to bring him a roll of Taylor Ham. (it's a NJ thing) Will I be able to take it on in my carry-on or checked luggage?

omg Disneykidsdad - I grew up in NY - every now and then I remember "tailorham" (we said it as one word, not necessarily a brand name). We would have tailorham-and-peanut butter sandwiches. No such thing as Taylor Ham here in Southern Virginia. My kids have never heard of it!

 

[HFred]

We've always packed snacks and such without issue (just had to buy water/juice once thru security). We pack snacks, however, because we are that family that flies with a peanut allergic child. I would take that into consideration. Peanut butter residue due to the oils in it is almost impossible to remove from surfaces without soap and water and given the quick turn arounds of flights, it could pose a threat not only to anyone on the plane with an allergy but to anyone on the next flight! I know it is easy and "non-perishable" but maybe packaged crackers and cheese spread, cereal bars, fruit strips, or prepackaged boxes of cereal? My kids love that they get "snack foods" usually reserved for special treats and not "meals" on the plane. It adds to the vacation/fun of the event!