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.
TSA Approved Holiday Food Items you can bring in your Carry-On:
Baked Goods
Pies, cakes, cookies and brownies
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Meats
Frozen, cooked or uncooked meats like turkey, chicken, ham and steak
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Stuffing
In a box or bag
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Casseroles
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Macaroni & Cheese
(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Fresh Vegetables
Potatoes, yams, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots and greens
(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Fresh Fruit
Apples, pears, lemons, limes, pineapple and fresh cranberries
(Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)
Candy
(Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
Spices
(Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)
Best Stores For Black Friday Shopping
15. Best Buy
The average discount is 22.9%
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
14. Amazon
The average discount is 25.7%
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13. BJ's
The average discount is 27.6%
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12. Walmart
The average discount is 28.4% with the best deals on consumer packaged goods.
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11. Newegg
The average discount is 28.5%
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10. The Home Depot
The average discount is 30.9%
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9. Academy Sports + Outdoors
The average discount is 31.1%
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8. Big Lots
The average discount is 32.9%
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7. Target
The average discount is 32.9%
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
6. Lenovo
The average discount is 40.7%
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5. Kohl's
The average discount is 44.2% with the best deals on jewelry.
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4. Office Depot and OfficeMax
The average discount is 49.9% with the best deals on furniture.
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3. Macy's
The average discount is 53.0%
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2. Belk
The average discount is 64.2% with the best deals on apparel & accessories, consumer electronics, toys and appliances.
(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
1. JCPenney
The average discount is 64.7% with the best deals on computers & phones.
(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)