How To Know If Your Tasty Souvenir Can Get Past The TSA

Bringing a taste of your travels back home? Whether it's a jar of homemade salsa from the farmers' market or a perfectly wrapped sandwich for your layover lunch, navigating TSA's food rules can get tricky. While most solid foods sail through security checkpoints, anything that veers into liquid, creamy, or gel territory currently must follow TSA's 3-1-1 liquids rule: items must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less to make it through. That includes artisanal honey, peanut butter, and even gravy — yes, gravy.

Sandwiches, on the other hand, are a much simpler affair and should go through security without incident. While you're at it, the next time you get on a plane, wrap that sandwich in parchment paper like a pro. It keeps your meal fresh and intact, so you can actually enjoy your mid-flight meal without any hassle. Plus, a neatly packaged sandwich can spare you any awkward cleanup mid-flight.

Larger bottles of liquid foods, creamy cheeses, or jars of salsa, however, should go in your checked luggage. When in doubt, remember: if it's solid, it's probably fine, but if it's spreadable or pourable, you might need to rethink your packing strategy. And for anything packed in checked luggage, make sure it's sealed tightly to steer clear of any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.

TSA's food rules might seem straightforward, but some items blur the line between solid and liquid. Sandwiches are generally safe, even those with thick spreads like nut butter or creamy cheese, as long as they don't create a gooey mess. Staples like bread, cookies, crackers, and candies are also safe bets for carry-ons. That souvenir loaf of sourdough? No problem — it's TSA-approved and won't raise eyebrows at the checkpoint.

Frozen foods follow a slightly different set of rules. Liquids are allowed only if they're completely frozen solid at screening. Yes, that bottle of chilled gazpacho or frozen soup is fine — just ensure it's rock-hard and ice-cold before heading to the checkpoint. And as for that liquid coffee creamer haul you had on vacation, go ahead and freeze some solid — just keep a few things in mind while you're at it.

So, for those making a trip to grandma's house over the weekend, bring back those strawberry candies grandmothers always seem to have. Their TSA-approved status makes them perfect for travel, with no risk of getting confiscated at the checkpoint. A little prep goes a long way when it come to TSA rules — pack wisely, and let your snack make it to their final destination. After all, a sweet souvenir never hurts, especially one that's guaranteed to pass inspection.