She sells seashells by the seashore and brings us to Can you take tuna pouches on a plane? When visiting home, many of you will be interested in bringing seafood to stock the fridge or pastries for your family so they can experience its delicacy themselves. Still, the question is- is it possible?
Thanks to the Transportation Security Administration, which introduced rules per the food item’s formulation, liquid or solid, it has been made easy to bring food when flying, eliminating the need to wonder anymore.
However, you would still have to navigate the TSA’s website to find out what you are allowed and prohibited to take when traveling and whether it will pass through airport security. Let’s begin discerning by determining if can you take tuna pouches on a plane.
Can You Take Tuna Pouches On A Plane?
It does not matter if you are bringing a tuna pouch from your recent trip to Alaska or planning to put together a tuna sandwich or another snack for your long plane ride; there are a few essentials that you need to be made aware of regarding can you take tuna pouches on a plane.
Tuna pouches on a plane will be acceptable to pass through security or be carried in the luggage as long as they are completely frozen. But, if the packet is unfrozen, the minimal amount of liquid in the tuna pouch will also melt and mandate you to put it in a liquid bag or checked baggage.
Even the TSA regulates that you will be fine taking seafood (tuna or salmon pouch) in your checked or carry-on baggage if it’s not liquid. Nevertheless, even if there is a slight liquid in the packaged food, like in a canned seafood or tuna pouch, the food goes directly into your checked baggage or does not board at all and is left at home.
Seafood With Ice:
Any seafood item that must be kept frozen through ice should be brought onto the plane by following the proper and dictated protocol. If seafood is packed with ice packs or ice in a container or a cooler, the ice packs and the ice must be frozen completely when brought, or they will not clear airport screening.
Ice packs or ice that is melted partially and has its container’s bottom filled with liquid will not be permitted. Remember, the set limit by the FAA for the dry ice to be transported is 5 pounds, so you must abide by it while ensuring that the ice packets are adequately and prominently marked or packaged.
TSA officers will be screening all appropriately stored seafood items; regardless, we recommend you check and confirm with the airline you are traveling with to make sure that they have space under the seat or in the overhead bin to accommodate your containers.
TSA And Food Considerations:
Food regulations by the authorities depend on what eatable you are traveling alongside and whether it will be stowed in checked or hand luggage. Per these two aspects, the guidelines will vary largely.
For assistance, the TSA’s website has an extensive food list detailing most items’ permissibility. But, we will be considering some food options in the following section.
Canned Food:
Generally, foods that are canned are allowed to be boarded on a plane. TSA advises all passengers to opt for checked baggage as a location to store canned foods as there is always a likelihood for them to be subjected to additional screening.
Canned foods, at times, might not be compliant with the 3-1-1 rule for aerosols, liquids, and gels or may be intervening the scanner’s view.
Canned tuna may not clear security due to the liquid it contains. This can be avoided if the can is packed in checked luggage, but you can no longer access the food item during the flight.
Let’s say you wanted tuna mid-flight; then, you can drain the water in the canned tuna, dry the fish, and preserve it by surrounding it with ice in a small container. When passing security, throw the ice away to only have dried tuna in your hand luggage in a well-sealed, structured, plastic container.
Such containers ensure that the tuna remains fresh without its liquid and prevent the fish from filling the cabin with any potential stink or odor.
Seafoods And Cooked Meats:
Unlimited amounts of cooked meat can be carried in checked or hand luggage. But, if the vegetables, fish, or leftover turkey in your baggage obstructs the view of other items on the X-ray scanner, then the officer will instruct you to remove the food items for a more precise view.
All the removed food products will be inspected closely and separately.
Frozen Packs Of Ice:
When traveling with leftovers across the country, carrying frozen packs of ice along to keep the food fresh through transit is a necessity. Keep in mind that all ice packs are allowed to pass through security on the condition that they are solid and frozen without a trace of a water droplet when clearing security.
Even if a single slushy or partially melted ice pack is detected during screening, ice will not make it past inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):
Can I take food pouches through airport security?
Yes, food pouches can be taken through airport security.
Are tuna packets considered liquid?
Tuna packets do not contain a lot of liquid, but they might have some liquid to keep the fish fresh, so they are considered liquid.
Can I bring a tuna sandwich on a plane?
Tuna sandwich on a plane is permitted in both checked and carry-on luggage.
Does canned tuna count as a liquid?
Since the can securing tuna has liquid, tuna cans are also counted as liquids and must always be packed in checked bags.
