What you can and can’t bring through airport security checkpoints during the holidays

If you’re among the thousands who will be flying in the next few weeks, you’ll want to be sure that you know what you can – and can’t – bring through security checkpoints at airports.

Most foods can be carried through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, but there are some items that will need to be transported in checked baggage.

If it’s a solid food item, then it can go through a checkpoint. But, if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag. Food items often need some additional security screening, according to the TSA, so it’s a good idea to remove food items from a carry-on bag and place them in a bin for quicker screening at the checkpoint.

If you need to keep items cold during your trip, ice packs are permissible, but they must be frozen solid and not melted when they go through security screening.

Travelers who are unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on or checked bag can check the TSA homepage, which has a “What can I bring?” feature. Type in the item and find out if you can carry it through a checkpoint or if it should be checked. Another option is for passengers to tweet to @AskTSA to ask how best to travel with a specific food item.

For travelers bringing gifts with them, TSA recommends packing those gifts in gift bags or gift boxes instead of wrapping them, because if a gift triggers an alarm, it will need to be opened to resolve the alarm. Wrapped gifts that trigger an alarm will need the gift wrap removed, but if the gift is in a bag or a box, it is simple to look at the item to resolve the alarm.

Snow globes, a popular holiday gift, should be packed in a checked bag if the globe of water contains more than 3.4 ounces of liquid. As a rule of thumb, if the globe is smaller than a tennis ball, it is less than 3.4 ounces and so it is permitted to be carried through a checkpoint. Pack those larger snow globes in a checked bag.

Holiday foods that can be carried through a TSA checkpoint include:
• fruitcake
• cookies, cake, pies
• chocolates
• candy canes
• fruit and nut baskets
• spices
• ham (frozen or cooked)

Holiday foods that should be carefully packed with your checked baggage
• egg nog
• champagne, wine, sparkling apple cider
• cranberry sauce. (homemade or store-bought) are spreadable, so check them.
• preserves, jams and jellies (homemade or store-bought) are spreadable, so best to check them.
• maple syrup.