TSA Liquid Food Examples You Should Never Guess At

22/01/2026

Understanding TSA liquid food examples is one of the easiest ways to avoid losing food at airport security. Most travelers assume liquid means “drink,” but TSA defines liquid food much more broadly—and that’s where people get caught off guard.

This guide clearly explains TSA liquid food examples, why TSA classifies them as liquids, and how to pack food correctly so nothing gets confiscated at the checkpoint.

What TSA Means by “Liquid Food”

Before listing TSA liquid food examples, you need to understand TSA’s definition.

TSA considers a food a liquid if it can:

Pour
Spread
Smear
Flow under pressure

If it behaves like this, it falls under the 3.4 oz (100 ml) liquid rule. This definition is the foundation for all TSA liquid food examples.

Peanut Butter (The Most Famous Example)

Peanut butter is the most well-known TSA liquid food example.

Why TSA bans it in large amounts:

It’s spreadable
It behaves like a gel
It blocks X-ray imaging

Any peanut butter over 3.4 oz in a carry-on will be confiscated. This surprises more travelers than any other TSA liquid food example.

Soup and Broth

Soup is a clear TSA liquid food example.

This includes:

Homemade soup
Canned soup
Broth-based meals

Even thick soup counts as liquid if it can pour. Soup must go in checked bags or meet liquid limits to pass TSA.

Yogurt and Pudding

Yogurt is another common TSA liquid food example.

Why it’s restricted:

Spoonable consistency
Gel-like texture
Hard to screen

Pudding, custard, and similar foods fall under the same TSA liquid food examples category.

Sauces, Gravies, and Dressings

Sauces are classic TSA liquid food examples.

This includes:

Pasta sauce
Gravy
Salad dressing
Curry sauce

Even thick sauces are treated as liquids. Containers over 3.4 oz will be taken at security.

Jelly, Jam, and Honey

Many people assume spreads are solid. TSA does not.

These TSA liquid food examples include:

Jelly
Jam
Honey

All are considered gels and must follow liquid rules in carry-on bags.

Hummus and Dips

Hummus is one of the most misunderstood TSA liquid food examples.

Also included:

Guacamole
Salsa
Cheese dip
Bean dip

If it spreads or scoops, TSA treats it as a liquid.

Ice Cream and Frozen Foods

Ice cream is a tricky TSA liquid food example.

Rules depend on state:

Fully frozen solid → allowed
Partially melted → confiscated

Once it starts melting, TSA considers it liquid.

Creamy Foods and Soft Cheese

Cream-based foods fall under TSA liquid food examples.

These include:

Cream cheese
Ricotta
Cottage cheese
Mascarpone

Soft cheeses are treated as spreads, not solids.

Baby Food and Liquid Nutrition (Special Case)

Baby food appears on TSA liquid food examples, but with exceptions.

Allowed with declaration:

Baby formula
Breast milk
Baby food pouches

These can exceed liquid limits but must be shown to TSA officers.

Why TSA Restricts Liquid Foods

People often ask why TSA liquid food examples are restricted at all.

The reasons:

Liquids are harder to screen
Containers block X-ray views
Security risks outweigh convenience

This has nothing to do with food safety.

Where TSA Liquid Food Examples ARE Allowed

To avoid issues with TSA liquid food examples:

Pack them in checked luggage
Keep them under 3.4 oz in carry-on
Buy them after security

TSA rules apply only at the checkpoint.

Foods Often Confused With Liquids (But Allowed)

To balance TSA liquid food examples, here are solid foods that usually pass:

Sandwiches
Bread and rolls
Cookies and brownies
Chips and crackers
Solid chocolate

Texture—not ingredients—matters most.

How to Avoid Losing Food at TSA

To handle TSA liquid food examples correctly:

Assume spreads are liquids
Put sauces in checked bags
Follow the 3-1-1 rule
Buy liquids after security

These steps prevent almost all confiscations.

Final Thoughts

Understanding TSA liquid food examples removes the guesswork from airport security. If a food spreads, pours, or smears, TSA treats it like a liquid—no matter how normal it seems.

Pack smart, follow texture rules, and you won’t lose food again. Knowing TSA liquid food examples turns TSA screening from stressful to simple.