How to – what food you can and can’t bring in a carry-on

Figuring out how to pack souvenirs can be a tricky business, especially when you’re taking home anything remotely edible.

Travelers have always been curious (or even a little confused) about what kinds of foods are okay to pack in their carry-on and which they should probably put into a checked luggage.

The TSA has a list of foods that can and can’t fly with you on its website. You might be surprised at how many things you can actually bring along in your carry-on, like packaged snacks, hard cheese, chocolate, and even fresh eggs. It’s always important to note that, when it comes to food, it is often up to the TSA agent in your security line as to whether you can fly with it.

In many cases, certain creamy or liquid foods such as peanut butter, olive oil, and salsa, simply have to comply with the organization’s 3-1-1 rule, or be placed in a checked bag. You can still take a lot of these items home if you really want them as souvenirs, but make sure you know how to pack them.

Food you can take it with you on board

Vacuum sealed meats or hard cheeses: Since both of these items are non-liquid, they are perfectly fine to pack in carry-on. If you’re still unsure, get items that are in an unopened, vacuum sealed package. Shops all over the world have pre-sealed products or even equipment to seal it for you. Creamy cheeses can be carried on if it’s less than 3.4 ounces.

Spices: Since spices are dried, they’re generally good to go. Make sure they’re clearly labeled and unopened, so they are not mistaken for other substances.

Dried goods: This includes pasta, dry beans, grains, and other pantry items that contain no liquid.

Packaged snacks: As long as everything is sealed and unopened, you’re good to go. Granola bars, nuts, chips, crackers, cookies, and the like all apply.

Chocolates and candy: Confectionary candy and chocolate (hardened) is perfectly alright to carry on your flight. Keep everything neat and packaged.

Bread: Ask the bakery to give you some flight-safe packaging so you can avoid crumbs in your bag.

Coffee Beans and Tea Leaves: Coffee beans, loose tea leaves, or dry tea sachets are all considered dry goods.

Cooked food (non-liquid): Cooked foods of any kind, as long as there are no liquids, are safe to fly in carry-on.

Dried fruit: Fresh fruits and vegetables can be a little tricky, but in their dried form, they’re OK. The same rules for dried goods and packaged snacks can be applied here.

Fresh eggs: Even though they’re technically liquid on the inside, they’re still a solid food by TSA standards.

Baby juice and formula: There are special guidelines for parents traveling with baby formula and juices in carry-on bags. These items are fine in checked luggage, but if you want to bring them on the plane with you, they will need a special screening.

Pizza: Safe to take on a plane in a carry-on.

Pies and cakes: Pies and cakes are cleared for take off as well.

Protein and energy powder: Even though these need to be mixed with liquid to be consumed, they are still a dried good, much like a spice. Just make sure everything is labeled and sealed properly.

Sandwiches: Feel free to stop by the deli before getting on your flight.

Food you cannot bring with you on board

High alcohol liquor: Certain alcohols have different rules, and anything over 70% alcohol (140 proof) is no good to fly at all. This includes liquors like Everclear, grain alcohol, and certain types of whisky, vodka, absinthe, and rum, so make sure you know what you’re buying before you fly. If in doubt, just ship it home.

Canned food: Canned goods are subject to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. This can be a problem because most cans are more than 3.4 ounces and they would require additional screening. It’s best to check it or ship it home.

Oils, vinegars, honey: Olive oil, special cooking oils or vinegars, honey, and like items make excellent gifts but there’s just one problem: They’re all liquids. If you want to put them in a carry-on you’ll have to comply with the 3-1-1 rule.

Dips, jams, creamy cheese, and spreads: The 3-1-1 rule also applies to creamy or spreadable items, since they have a soft consistency. Salsa, creamy cheese, dips, peanut butter, jam and preserves, can only be carried on in containers less than 3.4 ounces.

Yogurt, gravy, and other liquid food: Foods like yogurt or gravy aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage if they’re in containers larger than 3.4 ounces.

Fresh fruits or vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables are cleared by the TSA in checked bags. If they are soft, mashed, or liquid, they are subject to the organization’s 3-1-1 rule. Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot travel with most fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fresh meat or seafood: According to the TSA, these foods must be packaged properly and be completely frozen at the time of screening. This rule also applies to ice and ice packs used to keep the food frozen in its container.

Wine or other alcoholic beverages: Beverages, including wine, that are over 24 percent alcohol (but under 70 percent alcohol) are fine in checked luggage. However, there is also a limit of five liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger. Mini bottles are okay to bring in your carry-on as long as they are under 3.4 ounces and fit comfortably in single, one quart bag. But remember that the FAA restricts passengers from drinking alcohol on board planes unless it is served by a crew member.