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Transportation — gun at Richmond International Airport — TSA — Community — Eastern Henrico — Sandston — Thanksgiving

Flying for Thanksgiving? Here's what you can and can't carry through TSA checkpoints

,   and  Citizen Staff Reports
1 min read
Examples of some foods that you can carry onto a flight with you. (Courtesy TSA)

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The Transportation Security Administration is anticipating a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period, with an estimated 18.3 million passengers expected to be screened at U.S. airports from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 – a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.

Many travelers will want to bring food with them, but what is and isn't permitted? TSA officials are providing some examples to help travelers plan ahead.

Solid food items are generally permitted through security checkpoints, while liquids, gels, and aerosols exceeding 3.4 ounces must be packed in checked luggage. Foods items often require additional screening, so they should be placed in an easily accessible location within carry-on bags.

Travelers unsure about the permissibility of specific food items can utilize the "What can I bring?" feature on the TSA's website, contacting @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger and texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) with questions.

Ice packs are permissible if frozen solid and not melted when screened.

Thanksgiving foods that can be carried through a TSA checkpoint include:

• baked goods (homemade or store-bought pies, cakes, cookies, brownies and other sweets);
• meats (turkey, chicken, ham, steak; frozen, cooked or uncooked);
• stuffing (cooked, uncooked, in a box or in a bag);
• casseroles (traditional green beans and onion straws or something more exotic);
• mac and cheese (cooked in a pan or traveling with the ingredients to cook it at your destination);
• Fresh vegetables (including potatoes, yams, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, radishes, carrots, squash, greens);
• Fresh fruit (including apples, pears, pineapple, lemons, limes, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, kiwi);
• candy;
• spices.

 Thanksgiving foods that should be carefully packed with your checked baggage include:

• cranberry sauce (homemade or canned are spreadable);
• gravy (homemade or in a jar/can);
• wine, champagne, sparking apple cider;
• canned fruit or vegetables;
• preserves, jams and jellies;
• maple syrup.