TSA has implemented a 3oz policy on some foods that you can bring through security:
[ul]
[li]Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. (Emphasis TSA.)[/li][li]Canned or jarred goods such as soup, sauces, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables and jellies.[/li][li]Cheese in pressurized containers.[/li][li]Gel based sports supplements.[/li][li]Jell-O’s.[/li][li]Pudding.[/li][li]Whipped cream.[/li][/ul]
However, you can bring aboard in your carryon, unlimited quantities of MREs:
[ul]
[li]Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) - A product most commonly found in MRE’s, used to heat food packages. There is no limit on the number of MREs an individual may possess in checked or carry-on baggage, but the MRE(s) containing FRH(s) must be unopened (original factory seal is unbroken)[/li][/ul]
I guess this means for the upcoming fall holiday travel season you’ll have to check those Hickory Farms gift boxes or ship them by some other means.
I don’t see that the quoted section restricts fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, crackers, instant noodles, instant soups, tortillas, loaves of bread, cheese (as opposed to “cheez”), cereal, dried fruits, dried vegetables, jerky, smoked fish, or cookies. Everything listed could be construed as a fluid, “gel” or “gel-like substance” so this appears to be an elaboration of the “no fluids over 3 oz.” policy. Other than the giant jar of cranberry “mustard” and perhaps a large processed-to-goo “cheese” of some sort, your Hickory Farms snack box appears to be good to go.
I agree, I don’t think they’re restricting food, just clarifying what the policy is on liquid-y and gelled foods. The restrictions look like they did the last time I flew, which was a couple months ago. At that time, I had no problems bringing food I brought from home.
If they’re restricting food in general it must be news to the TSA agents at the two airoports I flew out of in the past week. I had ziploc bags of assorted snacks in my carryon on both legs of the trip and nothing was said about it.
You’re allowed to bring fresh fruit on a plane? I can verify that peaches are dangerous, having broken a few teeth in peach eating accidents. We need to give peaches to the terrorists, then sit back and laugh while they howl in dental agony.
I once had a security guy point out to me that my zip-top plastic bag wasn’t quart-size (it was sandwich-size). He didn’t make me throw it away, however; he actually allowed me to take it (and its contents) aboard the airplane!