What Kind of Food and Liquids (consumables) Can You Bring Through Airport Security in the USA in Checked Baggage?

If you are traveling to the USA and you want to bring some food from home you may be surprised to find that you cannot bring the food in through customs!

Many people from around the globe that are headed to the United States want to bring a little comfort from home in the form of their favorite food but the security folks at the airport may wind up confiscating your items!

A lot of people want to bring food into the US because they are afraid they will not be able to find their favorites while traveling. More commonly people will bring something from home for relatives and friends that they are headed to visit.

What seems harmless to you can be viewed as a threat to US security!

Bringing in “contraband” (food and beverages that are prohibited) can result in a fine imposed up to $10000 USD so it definitely pays to know what you can and cannot bring in your checked baggage.

Why do They Confiscate Food?

Can you bring food through the airport security? First of all, it depends on if you are entering the US or traveling from the US to another country. While your favorite fruits, veggies and meats are permitted wherever you are coming from the US is rather picky about what it permits in their country. They confiscate food to protect their own agriculture.

Pests and disease that is native to your country that affects agriculture may not be native to the US and it can easily wipe out crops and affect their agriculture. In the interest of agri security the US bans certain fruits, vegetables and meats from entering the country. All food items banned in USA will not be allowed to go through the security for any reason

As a matter of fact, there are more food items banned In USA from entering the country than there is food that is allowed in the country. It may seem like it is irrational to disallow enough fruit or other food items to make a meal but one pest or even a disease can easily spread and travel and wreak havoc on the food supply.

Even wrapped candy (like meat candies from China) are confiscated. It really does not matter where you are coming from or the type of relationship that the US has with your country your food will be confiscated if it is “prohibited”.

A good example is Avocado’s from Mexico. While the US imports the majority of their Avocado’s from Mexico if you are a traveler and you are bringing Avocado’s in with you from Mexico they will be confiscated unless they are obviously a very small amount (one or two) in their whole form and checked in your luggage.

So if you are asking: “Can you bring food through airport security?”, the answer most likely will be a No. But keep in mind that there are some exceptions.

What Happens to Confiscated Food?

When you arrive at the security/customs counter, your bag will be searched and if food is found, it will be confiscated and put into a “contraband” bin that contains other confiscated food items.

Once the bin is full it is taken to an area in the airport that has a “grinding table” the food is dumped on this table and shoved into a hole in the middle of the table that houses the grinder that will grind up the food! You can see the process in action right here!

A lot of people are under the impression that the food is kept and consumed or that it is not thrown away and that the security people are just being difficult.

The food stuff REALLY is destroyed and it REALLY is considered a threat to agriculture and livestock. The US has very high standards under the rules of the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) when it comes to food handling.

Many countries do not keep to the same standards so rather than go through lengthy vetting processes just so people can bring in food items, all items that are not permitted are confiscated and destroyed.

Liquids (Consumable)

There are actually quite a few things that you can bring into the US like

You can check on the site for the types of liquids that you can bring in your checked bag! In your checked bag you can bring:

• Alcoholic beverages as long as the bottle is sealed and the alcohol content in below 140 proof

• Gravy’s, jams and jellies

• Soups and yogurts

In most cases baby formulas are permitted, liquid medicines are permitted as long as they are labeled and sealed.

New “unopened” containers are far more likely to make it through security than bottles and containers that are only partially full or that are not labeled clearly with the contents. Security will much more likely look favorably on the contents if the container is sealed, unsealed containers are far more likely to be confiscated.

According to the US Customs Website

Many prepared foods that are unopened and commercially labeled are admissible (excluding meats and meat products). You may bring bakery items and most cheeses into the United States. As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee, fish, tea, and baby formula are admissible. Because rice can often harbor insects, it is best to avoid bringing it into the United States, particularly if it is in loose burlap packaging. Foods in packaging that appears unsafe or contaminated may be refused entry.

You can check on fruits and vegetables at the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services) to see if you can bring in fruits or vegetables from your country of origin here, but a word to the wise, it is not likely that you will be able to bring in any fruit, vegetables or meat!

Additionally, the US Custom and Border Patrol reminds that

All agriculture items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials.

Your Best Bet

If you absolutely HAVE TO bring some sort of food stuff with you when you travel to the US, you want to make sure that it is permitted before you pack it or it will just be a waste of time and money.

Frankly, the US has plenty of shops and stores that offer a wide range of ethnic type foods where you can easily find foods that are reminiscent of your home country. You can save yourself a lot of aggravation and stress by just leaving the food stuff at home and planning on enjoying your trip.