USA citizens’ tasty favorite snack is peanut butter, and alone, annually, they consume approximately 700 million pounds of it, leaving us wondering- can I bring peanut butter on a plane?
Airport food notoriously receives a bad rap and, nevertheless, is expensive. There are surprisingly multiple transportable snacking options to be carried on a plane, but is peanut butter one of them, and does it clear the biggest hurdle of making it past security?
This article aims to determine whether can I bring peanut butter on a plane, along with questioning if the rules differ for international and domestic flights and if the same guidelines dictate carrying an opened and an unopened jar of peanut butter.
Can I Bring Peanut Butter On A Plane?
Fortunately, peanut butter is allowed by the TSA to be brought along on planes; however, it is only in a limited quantity as the edible item is considered a liquid. In March of 2023, a debate concerning peanut butter’s viscosity was sparked after it was called a liquid.
When jokingly tweeting about peanut butter and its consideration as a liquid, TSA responded, “You may not be nuts about it,” their shared definition of a liquid was “a liquid has no definite shapes and takes shape dictated by its container.”
As TSA counts the spread full of nuts as a liquid, passengers must abide by limiting the amount they choose to bring in their carry-on. 
Similar to other liquids, travelers must carry peanut butter per the 3-1-1 rule of liquid, requiring the liquid to be carried in a quantity or a container that is either 3.4 ounces or lesser than, but never more, and which must fit into a plastic, single quart-sized bag.
Travelers are also advised to bring the edible stored in their checked baggage when boarding, where peanut butter can be brought in unrestricted limits.
Typically, any food containing peanut butter spread will pass through airport security, such as a sandwich, and can be eaten during the journey, as long as it is not overly soggy.
Securely Storing Peanut Butter
Complying with the 3-1-1 rule and packing peanut butter ensures the liquid never leaks. Still, you must be cautious and securely store the snack in your allowable checked baggage.
To avoid leakage, seal the jar of peanut butter tightly and then overwrap it using heavy-duty plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Additionally, for further prevention against leakage, place the jar within a freezer bag.
To help and withstand the possibility of breakage of the jar, roll it inside a washable thick garment or towel so that even if the jar breaks, its contents only damage a single clothing item and not other belongings.
Peanut Butter And International Flights
Rules for carrying peanut butter on a plane are susceptible to changes and vary depending on whether you are on a departing flight from the USA or an incoming flight to the States.
Departing Flight From the USA
Does not matter if you are flying domestically or boarding a departing flight from the USA because the same TSA rules apply.
In checked and carry-on luggage, peanut butter can be brought along on departing international flights. If you intend to eat peanut butter during the flight, that too is permissible, and you will face no issues.
Nonetheless, when taking peanut butter into foreign countries, check for the rules before leaving and ensure the product is unopened and in its original packaging.
Incoming Flight To USA
Generally, all packaged commercial jars are allowed into the USA for incoming passengers from a foreign country.
Still, bear in mind to declare all the food items you are carrying at the airport to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) whether the food is allowed or not so a CBP agent can inspect it.
CBP conducts routinely based random screenings for all incoming passengers, so if caught, then your failure to declare peanut butter can result in steep penalties.
Airlines And Peanut Butter
All major and regional carriers hold it acceptable and deem it fine for their customers to bring peanut butter onboard. However, due to how common and frequent a peanut allergy is and how, for some passengers, it can be life-threatening, airlines often request passengers not to eat peanut butter on the flight.
This is because of the dangerous implications it can have for people who are allergic, especially those affected who might have forgotten to carry their EpiPen.
Opened, Unopened Jar Of Peanut Butter
Has the following question ever occurred to you- Do the rules for Can I bring peanut butter on a plane change when the jar is opened or unopened?
If it has, then the answer is that no, the jar being opened or remaining unopened makes no difference to the applied rules; in fact, they are the same. This means a container or quantity of peanut butter greater than 100ml or 3.4 ounces is not allowed for transportation or to be packed in checked and carry-on luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Why is peanut butter not allowed on planes?
Peanut butter is allowed on planes, but since it is categorized as a liquid, rules for its transportation in hand luggage change.
Can you pack peanut butter in checked luggage?
Yes, peanut butter can be packed in checked luggage without quantity limitations.
Is peanut allowed in carry-on luggage?
To take peanut butter in carry-on luggage, follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for fluids and gels and pack following it, or the product will not pass security.
How do you pack peanut butter for travel?
In checked baggage, secure the peanut butter jar with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and for carry-on, restrict the quantity to 100ml and place all containers you are carrying in a quart-sized bag.
Conclusion
TSA’s pronunciation of peanut butter as a liquid has made its packing and carrying straightforward regarding Can I bring peanut butter on a plane? Complying with the 3-1-1 rule, you no longer have to worry about getting peanut butter on board or clearing security with the eatable in your carry-on luggage.
