Travelers who plan to carry food through airport security should pay attention to how they pack. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is increasingly pulling bags aside for additional screening when food is detected.
Contrary to some reports and beliefs among agents, there is no blanket rule requiring officers to hand-inspect every bag that contains food. A TSA spokesperson, Mike England, clarified that while officers do not have a formal policy mandating removal of food from carry-ons, they do have the authority to ask passengers to remove items if necessary.
According to guidance on the TSA website, “TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.”
Food can sometimes appear similar to prohibited materials on X-ray scanners, which is one reason agents may request additional inspection. When an officer cannot clearly identify an item on the monitor, they may ask a passenger to remove it or they may open the bag for closer examination.
Asking travelers to take out food items and the subsequent searches can slow down the security line. To speed up screening and reduce the likelihood of extra checks, experts suggest packing as little food as possible in carry-on luggage, and placing any food items in an easily accessible spot—similar to how passengers separate toiletries and electronics—so they can be quickly removed or presented if requested.
Organizing carry-ons, keeping items separated, and minimizing clutter not only helps the TSA produce clearer X-ray images but also helps maintain smoother, faster movement through checkpoints for all passengers.