Can I pass through Airport Security with Cooked lunch in my Carry-on/Personal during travels to the USA?

I plan on making a trip to the USA for the summer, However, one of my flights has a long stop where I will be waiting for more than 10 hours until the next plane departs. As you can imagine that's a lot of waiting, and I don't want to buy the expensive food available at the airport. So is it okay to prepare a cooked meal and bring along with me? Example: Baked Chicken and Rice with steamed vegetables.

Call the airline or any travel agent for the best advice in this matter.

Not likely. Maybe a sealed packet of biscuits, or something similar.

Call you airline and asked.
Since there no liquid, it should be okay.
Most people take sandwiches.
You do not need to heat them up and they do not have to be kept cold.

If you have the right sort of carrying device it should be okay. Bring extra cash and packaged snacks if it is not allowed.

Where are you flying from? I presume from outside the US and then waiting at JFK or LAX or whatever for your next flight.

Taking food products into the US can be problematic - a woman was fined recently for taking an apple, that she'd been given on the plane, into the US. Check the US customs website for allowed foods. This link applies to taking food from Canada into the US, but the restrictions will be much the same wherever you are coming from.

It would seem that prepared food would be a problem…

Doubt it

Yes but it depends on the food.

1. It must be wrapped or in its original packaging (bag of chips) or container.

2. It must have no liquid or gel so no milkshake or salad with salad dressing.

3. Whole fruits (unpeeled) are allowed like a banana or orange.

The woman was fined because she failed to declare that she got the apple from another country when she tried to leave the airport. Had she declared the apple and eaten it inside the airport, she wouldn't have been fined. You'll be fine as long as you stay in the airport.

Depends on the food. No soup. However, I often take a sandwich that I prepared at home.

Your problem is not going to be with security, it is going to be with customs.
Security doesn't care about food, as long as it isn't liquid or gel.
Customs, however, has a pretty good size list of food that can't enter the country.

If you intention is to eat at a USA airport stop over, then I wouldn't bother, as soon as you land and even declared, the customs officer is likely to take away this food. I know it nah seem a drag, but you have only to real options.

1. Take packet snacks like crisps, nuts etc. As these are ok through USA customs.
2. Buy some thing when you arrive, most USA airports have a mix of food outlets from burgers to more health chicken and rice.

Add Comment