Jazmin Li
Food items are allowed through security at UK airports, but there are restrictions on certain foods. Liquids, gels, and anything that could spill easily are restricted, so foods with a lot of liquid, such as yoghurt, soup, jam, honey, and syrups, are not allowed. Solid foods are generally permitted, but foods with a liquid consistency, like sauces, spreads, and dips, are subject to the same liquid restrictions as beverages, and must be in containers of 100ml or less. Fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, pastries, crisps, nuts, granola bars, chocolate, dried fruit, and sandwiches are all allowed through security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Allowed food items | Solid foods, sandwiches, cakes, pasties, salads, dried fruits, crisps, sweets, chocolates, fresh fruits and vegetables, muffins, croissants, brownies, crackers, granola bars, etc. |
| Not allowed food items | Liquids, semi-liquids, gels, and anything that could spill easily like yoghurt, jam, soup, honey, syrups, sauces, etc. |
| Allowed food items with restrictions | Spreads, jams, honey, nut butters, soft cheeses, liquid-based foods, etc. are allowed in containers of 100ml or less. |
| Exemptions | Baby food, baby milk, sterilised water, breast milk (not frozen) are allowed in quantities more than 100ml. |
| Other points to note | Food items and powders can obstruct images on X-ray machines, leading to manual checking and delays. Hence, it is recommended to put them in hold luggage. |
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What You'll Learn
Liquids and semi-liquids are banned from hand luggage
Passengers are advised to put food items and powders in their hold luggage to minimise delays, as these items can obstruct images on X-ray machines and may need to be checked manually by security staff. However, this is not mandatory, and food items can be taken through security in hand luggage. It is worth noting that airport security staff reserve the right to confiscate any item they consider dangerous, even if it is typically allowed in hand luggage.
If you are travelling with a baby, you are allowed to carry enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it exceeds the 100ml limit. Breast milk is also permitted in hand luggage, regardless of whether the mother is travelling with the baby. Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml and may need to be screened at the security point, with staff potentially needing to open the containers for inspection.
Liquids purchased at duty-free shops at the airport or on a plane can be carried in hand luggage if they remain sealed inside a security bag with the receipt visible. These bags must not be opened until the final destination is reached.
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Solid foods are allowed in hand luggage
Solid foods are generally allowed in hand luggage in UK airports. This includes items such as cakes, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, and other completely solid foods. However, it's important to note that liquid or semi-liquid foods are not allowed, including yogurt, jam, soup, honey, syrups, and items in cans like tuna. These types of foods are considered liquids and must follow the same restrictions as other liquids, with containers not exceeding 100ml and fitting into a clear plastic bag.
While solid foods are allowed, it is recommended to pack food items and powders into hold baggage to minimise potential delays at security checkpoints. Food items can obstruct images on X-ray machines, leading to additional manual checks of hand luggage. This recommendation applies to all passengers, including those travelling with babies or breast milk, who are allowed to carry baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water in hand luggage.
Each airline and airport may have specific policies and restrictions on hand luggage, so it is always advisable to check with your airline and airport before travelling. Some items, such as specialist equipment and certain types of batteries, may be restricted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or the airline. Additionally, countries outside the UK may have different rules regarding carrying solids and liquids in hand luggage, so it is important to be aware of these regulations when travelling internationally.
It's worth noting that airport security reserves the right to confiscate any item deemed dangerous, even if it complies with the standard regulations. To ensure a smooth journey through security, it is recommended to familiarise yourself with the latest guidelines provided by the relevant airports, airlines, and authorities.
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Baby food and milk are allowed in hand luggage
When travelling with an infant, you're permitted to carry baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water in your hand luggage. There is no legal limit to how much baby food you can bring, but it's advisable to check with your airline and airport before travelling. This is because each airline has its own policy on the amount of hand luggage allowed, and airports may have differing rules on carrying liquids.
Breast milk can be carried in hand luggage, even if you are not travelling with a baby. Individual containers of breast milk must not exceed 2,000ml and will be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers as part of the screening process.
Liquid baby foods and baby milk, either pre-packaged or made at home, are also allowed in hand luggage. Solid baby food can be carried in hand or hold luggage. Any baby food or milk should be given to staff at the security point for separate screening.
Powdered baby formula is unrestricted and can be carried as part of your luggage allowance. However, it may be tested at airport security.
Food items and powders can obstruct X-ray machines, so you may be asked to place these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.
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Food may obstruct X-ray images and cause delays
Food items and powders in hand luggage can obstruct X-ray images and cause delays. This is because they can block what the X-ray machine is trying to image, and security may need to perform additional checks. To avoid this, it is recommended that food and powders are placed in hold luggage. This is particularly true of foods with a high liquid content, such as yoghurt, jam, soup, honey, or syrups. These types of foods are more likely to be mistaken for suspicious items and require additional screening.
Liquids are subject to strict rules at airports. Liquids in containers larger than 100ml cannot go through security, even if the container is not full. However, there are some exemptions to this rule. For example, travellers are allowed to carry liquid containers larger than 100ml if they are travelling with a baby and need to bring baby food, baby milk, or sterilised water for the journey. Breast milk is also allowed in hand luggage, but it must be screened and cannot be frozen. Medicine is another exception to the 100ml rule, and travellers are permitted to carry liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers in containers over 100ml.
Solid foods are generally allowed and are less likely to obstruct X-ray images. However, it is important to be mindful of other passengers. For example, it is considerate to avoid bringing foods containing nuts or peanuts on board in case there is someone with an allergy. Fried or rotisserie chicken is also not ideal, as it can make the plane smell.
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Food bought at the airport can be taken on the plane
Food items and powders in hand luggage can obstruct images on X-ray machines, so it is recommended to put them in hold luggage to minimise delays. Airports and the government advise against taking food through security in hand luggage as it may cause delays as bags will be more likely to require manual checking.
When travelling with a baby, you are allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it is more than 100ml. Breast milk can be carried in hand luggage even if you are not travelling with a baby, but it must be in containers of no more than 2000ml and cannot be frozen.
While most UK airports do not allow liquids over 100ml through security, some airports are changing these rules. After the introduction of new 3D scanning equipment, travellers may no longer have to remove liquids from their hand luggage at security for Bristol, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, Luton, Newcastle, Southend, and Teesside airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take food through airport security in the UK, but not liquids or semi-liquids such as yoghurt, jam, soup, honey, or syrups. Solid foods like sandwiches, salads, cakes, and pasties are generally allowed.
Most packaged snacks like crisps, nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, chocolate, and sweets are allowed through security. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also permitted. If you're bringing spreads, creamy foods, or gel-like foods, they must be in containers of 100ml or less.
Fried or rotisserie chicken is not a good idea as the smell can linger on the plane. It's also best to avoid bringing nuts or nut products on board in case there is a passenger with an allergy.
Yes, when travelling with a baby, you are allowed to bring enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it exceeds the typical liquid limit of 100ml. Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml.
