If you’re traveling by plane for Thanksgiving and don’t want to show up empty-handed, you’ll want to make sure you’re only bringing TSA approved food items.
AAA reports that over 54 million people plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year. If you’re taking a road trip, it’s easier to bring a dish or a dessert to your gathering, but if you’re catching a flight, it could be more difficult. The TSA has some food rules to remember before you leave.
Lisa Farbstein is a spokesperson for the TSA. She told TODAY: “If people want to travel with food during the Thanksgiving holiday, what they really need to do is focus on whether the item is solid. If it’s a solid item, then it can go through a checkpoint.” So think pie, cake, brownies, cookies. etc. Frozen foods also fall into the solid category. As long as it’s still frozen upon getting to TSA, you’re good to go.
Most airlines, except Southwest, charge for checked luggage. Whether you don’t need a bag that big or are trying to avoid the fees, you may be wondering what you can bring on the plane.
Now, if the food is liquid or spreadable, that needs to go in the checked bag. Think much like TSA rules for anything liquid. Unless the liquid is less than 3.4 ounces it needs to be checked. Cranberry sauce, wine, beer, canned fruit and veggies…if you hear liquid, it’ll need to be checked.
For a full list, you can visit the TSA website and use the “What Can I Bring” feature.