Taking Food on Flights

[Groovee]

My friend flew out yesterday and text to tell me when she was going through security the couple in front of her had sandwiches wrapped in clingflim which they were made to put in the bucket. Security said that they will allow anything prepackages like tesco's sandwiches or M&S Sausages but home made stuff is a no no. Anyone else had this or have prepackages ideas for taking through.

Lxx

 

[AliceGardner]

Nothing in the latest security information says that sandwiches/food should be pre-packaged... http://www.gatwickairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static Files/Can_and_CantDec06.pdf

Personally I think that the security people are making up their own rules, but - in that situation - there probably isn't much point in arguing with them...

Alice

 

[Hilary]

We always used to take some snacks and drinks with us from home, but I now buy anything we want after security - partly because I'm never 100% confident I've got the hang of what's allowed and what isn't , but mainly because it cuts down on the hand luggage weight at check-in!

That's why weighing hand luggage at check-in has always seemed a complete nonsense to me when you can buy bottles of water, duty free items, books, magazines, etc., etc. that all add loads of weight to the previously weighed hand luggage!

 

[wifey]

I think you are prohibited from taking any meat,dairy produce or fruit or vegetables (unless you have an import licence). I'm sure we read about it on the TSA website recently, even baby food containing meat will be taken off you at the security check points. I reckon it's something to do with disease prevention you know like BSE.That's why the cabin crew say any food stuffs not consumed before landing MUST be put in the trash bags ready for disposal when the plane lands.

 

[AliceGardner]

I think you are prohibited from taking any meat,dairy produce or fruit or vegetables (unless you have an import licence). I'm sure we read about it on the TSA website recently, even baby food containing meat will be taken off you at the security check points. I reckon it's something to do with disease prevention you know like BSE.That's why the cabin crew say any food stuffs not consumed before landing MUST be put in the trash bags ready for disposal when the plane lands.

That is different (but also true).

When you go through security in the UK, they wont have a problem with you taking meat and fruit out of the country (i.e. to eat on the plane).

When you go into the US, then it is Customs (and not the TSA) that try to prevent you from taking varous food stuffs into the US (one of the reasons they have dogs sniffing you sometimes). That is why you should leave any food on the plane when you land in the US.

Alice

 

[wayneg]

We always take homemade picnic with us, I don't like Virgins food or prepacked airport food, just buy a drink in airport.
Which airport was it? we were OK at Manchester at Easter.

 

[wifey]

This is the link to the TSA http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the food&drink!

 

[AliceGardner]

This is the link to the TSA http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the food&drink!

Sweety, there are two distinctly different things:
- TSA: liquids/gels/"semi-solid" food (i.e. yogurts, jellies, non-solid cheeses, baby foods, soup etc). Those are what your link refers to. This is, supposedly, to prevent terrorism. This is virtually identical to the BAA restrictions (flying from the UK) I posted above (http://www.gatwickairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static Files/Can_and_CantDec06.pdf).
- US Customs: "agricultural products" (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/agri_prod_inus.xml). This is what prevents you bringing solid meat and vegetables etc in to the US (because of diseases etc).

The latter has been in place for donkeys years. The former has only been in place for a couple of years (when they discovered the plot to blow up planes flyying out of Heathrow to the US).

Best Wishes,
Alice

 

[wifey]

Ummm sorry to tell you this sweetie but your link does not work

Last time we went in '05 and we were in line at the airport DH was frisked and questioned and the TSA staff said that they and Customs and Immigration are now under the control of Homeland Security and all security has been tightened up, which for all of us is a good thing.

We have known about the restrictions on food stuffs for years and although we can appreciate many people might not want the food on the aircraft and want something else there are rules about what they will allow you to take into the USA, only prepackaged food with expiration dates so nothing home made.