TSA Food Rules: What You Can and Can’t Bring Through Security

When you’re flying with kids, TSA food rules, the set of guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration that control what food items can pass through airport security checkpoints. Also known as airport food restrictions, these rules matter most when you’re packing snacks for a nervous toddler or trying to avoid a messy spill on the jetway. It’s not about fancy meals—it’s about what fits in a diaper bag and won’t get tossed at the X-ray machine.

Most solid foods like sandwiches, fruit, crackers, and cheese are fine. No need to remove them from your bag. But liquids, gels, and pastes? That’s where things get tricky. Anything you can pour, spread, or squeeze counts as a liquid under TSA rules—think yogurt, applesauce, purees, or even peanut butter. Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, and all go in one clear quart-sized bag. If you’re bringing formula, breast milk, or juice for a baby, you’re allowed more than 3.4 ounces—but you’ll need to tell the officer and it might get screened separately. No need to prove it’s for your child; just say it out loud. No receipts, no doctor’s note, no stress.

Freeze-dried snacks like dried fruit, veggie chips, or cereal? Perfect. Granola bars? Go ahead. Cookies? No problem. Even a jar of baby food is fine if it’s under 3.4 ounces—or if you’re carrying more, just flag it at the checkpoint. Many parents don’t realize they can bring ice packs or frozen gel packs to keep food cold, as long as they’re not melted when they hit the scanner. A frozen water bottle? That’s a snack and a cooler in one. Once it thaws, it counts as a liquid, so plan accordingly.

What’s not allowed? Anything that looks like a liquid but isn’t labeled—like a jar of honey or a tub of hummus over the limit. Same goes for large containers of juice or soup. And while you can bring a whole apple, you can’t bring a giant bag of apples if it looks like you’re restocking a grocery store. The rule isn’t about quantity—it’s about intent. If it’s clearly for personal use, you’re good.

There’s no official list of approved snacks because the TSA doesn’t care what you eat—they care whether it’s a threat or a mess. That’s why the same snack that flies in New York might get questioned in Chicago. The real trick? Keep it simple. Stick to what you’d normally give your kid at home. No need to buy special ‘TSA-approved’ packaging. Your Ziploc bag, a few pouches, and a banana will get you through 99% of checkpoints without a second glance.

And if you’re flying internationally? Those rules change. But for domestic U.S. flights, the TSA food rules are straightforward: solids = yes, liquids = small and bagged, baby items = exempt. No hidden codes. No secret apps. Just common sense.

Below, you’ll find real advice from parents who’ve been there—what worked, what didn’t, and how to avoid the dreaded ‘please open that’ moment at security. Whether you’re packing for a short flight or a cross-country trip, these posts cut through the noise and give you exactly what you need to keep your kids fed, calm, and moving through the airport without a single tantrum.