What food can you bring on a plane?

Guide · Food & Snacks

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Almost all of it. Solid food is essentially unrestricted at US (TSA) and Canadian (CATSA) security — the only foods that get confiscated are the ones that count as liquids under the 3-1-1 liquids rule. The bigger risk is not security at all: it is agricultural customs when you land internationally.

The one rule that decides everything

Ask one question: can you pour it, spread it, or smear it? If no, it is a solid and you may bring as much as fits in your bag. If yes, it is a liquid for security purposes and each container must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, all inside your single quart-size bag. Label size decides, not how much is inside.

Food-by-food verdict table

Food	Carry-on	Why
Sandwiches, chips, candy, nuts	✓ Yes, unlimited	Solid food has no security limit
Peanut butter, hummus, dips	≤ 3.4 oz	Officially a liquid — spreads count
Yogurt, pudding cups	≤ 3.4 oz	A gel, unless frozen completely solid or baby food
Fresh fruit & vegetables	✓ Yes (domestic)	Customs rules apply on international arrivals
Hard cheese, bread, baked goods	✓ Yes	Solid — cream cheese, however, is a liquid
Jam, honey, salsa, sauces	≤ 3.4 oz	Full-size jars go in checked bags, no limit there
Baby food & formula	✓ Exempt	Over 3.4 oz allowed with an infant — declare it
Drinks / full water bottle	✗ No	≤ 3.4 oz only — empty bottles pass, refill airside
Wine & liquor	Mini-bottles / duty-free	Checked: up to 5 L of 24–70% ABV, seal rules apply

International flights: customs is the real risk

Security screens for threats; customs screens for agriculture. Entering the US, Canada, or most other countries, you must declare all food — and fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy are frequently refused or confiscated at the border. An apple you forgot in your tote can cost real money in fines. The safe routine: finish, bin, or declare everything edible before passport control. US rules come from CBP; Canada's from the CFIA — the principle is identical: declare it and you cannot be fined for it.

Baby food & medical exceptions

Traveling with an infant unlocks the biggest food exemption in the book: formula, breast milk, and baby food may exceed 3.4 oz in reasonable quantities — just declare them for separate screening. Medically necessary foods and liquids (for example, liquid nutrition) follow the same medical exemption. Gel ice packs keeping either cold are allowed.

Go deeper

Sources: TSA — Food · TSA Liquids Rule · CBP — Agricultural Items · CATSA. Last verified 2026-07-30.

Food on a plane — FAQs

Can you bring food through TSA?

Yes — solid food passes US security with no quantity limit. Sandwiches, chips, fruit, candy, nuts, and protein bars all fly freely. Only food that pours, spreads, or smears counts as a liquid and must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.

Is peanut butter a liquid for TSA?

Yes. TSA officially classifies peanut butter as a liquid, along with hummus, salsa, yogurt, jam, honey, cream cheese, and soft cheeses. Each container must be 3.4 oz or smaller and fit your quart bag, or go in checked luggage.

Can I bring fresh fruit on a domestic flight?

Yes on US and Canadian domestic flights — whole fruit passes security unrestricted. The exceptions: flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands restrict produce, and international arrivals require you to declare all food to customs or risk fines.

Can I bring food on an international flight?

Security lets solid food through, but your destination's agricultural customs rules are what matter. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy are restricted or must be declared in most countries. Undeclared produce is one of the most common sources of border fines.

Can I bring baby food and formula on a plane?

Yes, in quantities well over 3.4 oz. Formula, breast milk, and baby/toddler food are exempt from the liquids rule when traveling with an infant — declare them at the checkpoint for separate screening. Ice packs for cooling are allowed too.

Can I take food in my hand luggage on an Emirates, BA, or other non-US airline?

Almost always yes — the 100 ml liquids baseline is an ICAO standard used worldwide, so solid food passes nearly everywhere while spreads and yogurts count as liquids. What changes by country is the agricultural customs rules on arrival, not the security screening.