Can I take food on a plane? Milan Busts Myths

Yes, you can take food on a plane, but the runnier it is, the sooner you’ll hit the liquids limit at security. Spreads such as Nutella, hummus or cream cheese count as liquids. If you’re flying to the USA, Australia or New Zealand, eat your food before landing, because importing food there is strictly limited.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

Count as liquids

Nutella, hummus, honey, jam, sauces and soups; in hand luggage only in containers of up to 100 ml

No restrictions

Hard cheese, chocolate, nuts, cakes and biscuits, within your hand luggage allowance

Meat within the EU

You can even take raw meat, seafood or eggs if they’re well packed

Watch out

When flying into the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, eat your food before landing or declare it

My tip

Liquid rules differ even between terminals, so I check them on the airport’s website before I travel

Can I take food on a plane? The short answer is yes, you can take food on a plane. But there are rules, especially for foods that behave like liquids. The closer a food gets to a liquid, the more likely you are to run into restrictions at security.

Have a look at the Milan Busts Myths category, where I debunk other travel myths and misconceptions.

What food is and isn’t allowed on a plane?

• Important: The rules can differ depending on the country you’re flying to. Bringing food into the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Patagonia, for example, is strictly limited: you often can’t bring in meat, fresh fruit, vegetables or dairy products, and food has to be declared at the border. If you take any of these on board, it’s best to eat them before landing.

Spreads and cheese in hand luggage

Spreads such as cream cheese, Nutella, hummus or peanut butter count as liquids. If you want to take them in your hand luggage, they must be in containers of up to 100 ml and fit into a one-litre clear bag together with your other liquids. Some airports with new CT scanners, such as Vienna, already allow liquids of up to two litres. The rules can differ even between terminals, though, so I check them on the airport’s website before I travel.

Hard cheese, chocolate and nuts, on the other hand, are allowed without restrictions, as long as you stay within your hand luggage allowance (each airline sets its own weight and size limits).

Tinned food, sauces and other semi-liquid food

Tinned food, sauces, toppings, jams, honey, spreads and salad dressings are not allowed in hand luggage if the container holds more than 100 ml. The same goes for cranberry sauce, custard, soups, mustard and chutney: because of their consistency, they count as liquids. All of these belong in your checked luggage.

Can you take meat and seafood on a plane?

Yes, you can take meat on a plane if you’re flying between countries with free movement of goods (such as within the EU). This applies to cooked and raw meat alike, but always wrap it well so it doesn’t smell or leak. The same goes for seafood and eggs, which can even be raw as long as they’re well sealed.

Be careful, though, when you fly into a country with strict rules on importing animal products, such as Australia, the USA, Canada or New Zealand. There you have to throw them away or declare them before you enter the country.

Cakes, pastries and sweets

Cakes, muffins, biscuits, gingerbread and doughnuts are fine in hand luggage. You can bring them whole or sliced. They do count as one of your cabin items, though, so you may be told to put them under the seat.

All food goes through the X-ray scanner. If something looks suspicious (a box of filled chocolates, for example), you may be asked to open it.

Food that’s off limits on a plane, and what about CBD?

The golden rule of flying always applies: don’t bring anything on board that would bother you if someone else brought it. Strong-smelling, sticky, spicy or very crunchy food is better left at home.

Watch out for allergens too, especially peanuts. The rules don’t ban them, but they can trigger a severe allergic reaction in other passengers. Some airlines even ask you not to eat them during the flight.

As for CBD products, I’ve written a separate article about them:
➡️ Flying with CBD

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Can I take food on a plane? The short version

You can bring food on a plane, but you need to know the difference between solid and liquid food. Check the rules of the country you’re flying to as well, because they can be even stricter. And always pack it hygienically and with some thought for others, so your fellow passengers aren’t bothered for no reason.

Food on a plane: frequently asked questions

Can I have food in my hand luggage?

Yes, you can take solid food such as hard cheese, chocolate, nuts, cakes or biscuits in your hand luggage without restrictions. The 100 ml limit only applies to liquid foods and spreads, which must go in a one-litre clear bag with your other liquids.

Does Nutella or hummus count as a liquid at the airport?

Yes, Nutella, hummus, peanut butter and cream cheese count as liquids at security. In hand luggage they must be in containers of up to 100 ml, and larger jars belong in your checked luggage. Some airports with new CT scanners allow more, so check the rules on the airport’s website.

Can I take honey, jam or sauce on a plane?

Yes, but honey, jam, sauces, soups and mustard count as liquids at security, so in hand luggage they can only be in containers of up to 100 ml. Pack larger jars of honey, jam or sauce in your checked luggage.

Can I take meat on a plane?

Yes, when you fly within the EU you can take both cooked and raw meat on a plane, as long as it’s well wrapped. When you fly into the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, importing animal products is strictly limited, so eat the meat before landing, or declare it or throw it away.

I’ve tackled another travel myth in the article Fish pedicures are dangerous and can lead to toe amputation.

Travel smart,
Milan