This summer, a wave of confusion and “hangry” travelers is sweeping U.S. airports as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intensifies enforcement of long-standing rules, effectively banning several popular snack items from carry-on bags.
Social media is abuzz with frustrated rants and viral videos of confiscated treats. But beneath the outrage lies a simpler explanation: the rules haven’t changed, but how they’re enforced has.
With the wider deployment of advanced Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, TSA agents are now able to detect the true consistency of various foods with greater precision. This crackdown isn’t about punishing snackers—it’s about streamlining security and reducing delays caused by manual bag searches. Spreadable, pourable, and gel-like foods can have densities similar to explosives, triggering alarms.
Why Your Favorite Spreads Are Now Security Risks
For years, the status of certain foods at security checkpoints has lived in a gray area, leading to inconsistent enforcement. In 2025, the TSA is leaving no room for doubt.
The core issue centers around the 3-1-1 liquid and gel rule:
Containers must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less
Fit in one quart-sized bag
Limited to one bag per passenger
The latest enforcement surge specifically targets items that, despite their “food” status, are categorized as gels or liquids when exceeding the limit.
“The agency’s move is less about punishing snackers and more about reducing delays and uncertainty at crowded checkpoints,” a TSA spokesperson explained, highlighting the role of new scanning technology.
The 7 Snacks Now Causing Checkpoint Chaos
Here’s a breakdown of the common and beloved snacks now consistently flagged and confiscated if over 3.4 ounces in your carry-on:
1. Peanut Butter
Once a travel staple, peanut butter is now public enemy number one. TSA has settled the debate:
If it’s spreadable and over 3.4 ounces, it’s out.
Travelers are losing jars of this protein-packed spread left and right.
2. Hummus
This Mediterranean favorite is now officially a gel. Even small single-serve packets often exceed the allowed size.
The chickpeas may be solid, but the blended consistency puts hummus in the no-go zone.
3. Soft Cheeses (Brie, Camembert, etc.)
Unlike hard cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, soft cheeses are flagged due to their:
Spreadability
Density, which scanners can’t easily differentiate from threats
If it’s creamy or gooey, it’s a gel.
4. Yogurt
Health-conscious travelers and parents beware: most yogurt cups exceed 3.4 ounces.
Even thick Greek yogurt is considered a gel.
Nutrition doesn’t matter—consistency does.
5. Pudding Cups
A nostalgic treat, yes. But pudding’s creamy texture makes it a gel, and most cups are over the size limit.
Cue viral videos from upset parents and kids at TSA lines.
6. Honey
Sticky situations abound. TSA treats honey as a liquid.
Small jars under 3.4 ounces are okay, but artisanal and larger containers are confiscated, much to travelers’ surprise.
7. Salsa
Whether homemade or store-bought, salsa is pourable—thus, a liquid/gel.
Anything over 3.4 ounces is banned, leading to plenty of “salsa confiscated” moments on social media.
The Online Backlash and TSA’s Response
The increased enforcement has sparked fierce backlash on Reddit, YouTube, and Instagram. Snack confiscation has become:
A meme
A joke
A cause célèbre for hungry travelers
However, TSA’s social media—especially its popular Instagram account—is responding with:
Humor
Transparency
Direct engagement
They’re answering thousands of snack-related questions weekly, aiming to educate more than enrage.
The real frustration? Not the rule itself, but the sudden and strict enforcement of previously inconsistent guidelines.
Beyond the Banned List: Other Risky Snacks
TSA’s core principle is clear:
If it’s spreadable, pourable, or gel-like and over 3.4 ounces, it belongs in your checked bag.
Other at-risk items include:
Jams and jellies (large jars)
Guacamole, cream cheese dips
Gravy
Creamy/thin mashed potatoes
Cooking oils, dressings
Syrups
Pro tip: If you can easily spread or pour it—and the container looks bigger than a travel-sized shampoo bottle—check it in.
Safe snack zone includes:
✅ Fresh fruit
✅ Nuts
✅ Crackers
✅ Hard cheeses
Travel Smarter, Not Hungrier
This summer’s “snack attack” by the TSA serves as a clear reminder:
Know the rules before you pack.
It may seem inconvenient, but this policy shift is designed to make the travel process:
Smoother
Faster
More secure
So next time you’re packing your carry-on, leave the oversized hummus and peanut butter behind, or prepare for checkpoint heartbreak. Your stomach—and your flight—will thank you.
