Your Guide to Food, Snacks and Drinks at Airport Security

 

Food is a part of every trip – whether you’re packing snacks for a long day or travelling with kids who have specific favourites.

Bringing food through airport security is much easier than people may think. Knowing the basics can make your screening experience predictable and calm.

Let’s walk through it together – step by step – with maybe even a few snacks for the journey.

Solid foods travel smoothly

Solid foods are the easiest travel companions you’ll have. They don’t spill or leak, and don’t cause any drama at the security checkpoint. If your food can sit at room temperature without turning into soup or slime, chances are it’ll breeze through security with you.

Think of the travel snack classics: sandwiches, apples, granola bars, crackers, and muffins. These snacks never betray you and won’t leave you stranded at security.

A simple tip: If it crunches, snaps, or stays put, you’re golden.

Foods that count as liquids

Here’s where things get a little sneaky. Some foods look like innocent solids, hanging out in their containers, but security sees them differently.

The moment a food can swirl, smear, scoop, spread or pour, it officially joins the “liquid, gel or non-solid food” club.

Don’t worry though, these foods are welcome to fly with you; they just have to follow these liquid rules.

• 100 mL or less per container
• All containers must fit in one transparent, resealable 1L bag
• One liquids bag per traveller

It’s less about saying no to your snacks, and more about making sure the amounts meet security requirements.

Exemptions for baby food and essential liquids

If you’re travelling with a child under two years of age, consider this your moment of relief: their food gets VIP treatment at security.

Baby formula, breast milk and baby food are all exempt from the 100 mL limit, so you can pack what you need without measuring every millilitre. They don’t need to go in your liquids bag either, just take them out during screening so screening officers can check them separately.

Powders and granular foods have their own rules

Food like flour, sugar, spices or baking mix in their tiny containers seem harmless. But at security, they get treated a little differently.

In your carry-on, powders and granular items are limited to a total of 350 mL – about the size of a pop can. If you’re planning on bringing more, you can bring it in your checked baggage.

Just know that some powders may need to be screened more closely and, in some cases, will not be permitted in your carry-on. If you don’t absolutely need these foods with you during your flight, we recommend placing them in checked baggage.

Frozen foods need to stay solid

Bringing frozen snacks is totally allowed, but they have to commit to the role. Frozen foods must stay completely solid when you go through security.

If they thaw into anything you can pour or spread, even a little slush, they’re suddenly on team liquid and follow the 100 mL rule. This includes ice.

Canned goods are also allowed, but only if the liquid inside the can is 100 mL or less.

Know the rules at your destination

Even if your food gets through CATSA’s security with zero issues, the country you’re flying into might have different feelings about what arrives with you.

If you’re travelling outside of Canada, any food (in your carry-on or checked baggage) will be subject to the regulations of the country you’re visiting.

Many places like the United States, have strict regulations on foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other agricultural products. We recommend checking these rules ahead of time to avoid losing your favourite snack at the finish line.

Snack smart for smooth travelling

Bringing food through the checkpoint isn’t a puzzle once you know how it works. Stick to solids when you pack and follow the non-solid rules, and you’ll be a start player in no time. With a bit of planning – and maybe a well-chosen snack – you’ll breeze through screening like a pro.

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Safe travels!