Lois Larson
Heathrow Airport, like all airports, has a number of security procedures and restrictions in place for baggage and hand luggage. Passengers are advised to understand these before they pack their luggage and arrive at the airport. Food or powders should be packed into hold baggage where possible, as they can obstruct images on the X-ray machine and be mistaken for suspicious items. Liquids, including liquid medicines, baby food, and breast milk, are exempt from the 100ml rule but may be subject to additional screening. Any other liquids or gels in your food must adhere to the 100ml rule and be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. Regular solid food can be packed in your luggage, such as sandwiches and fruit. However, pasted foods such as peanut butter or hummus are not allowed in hand luggage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liquids | Liquids in containers over 100ml are not allowed. Liquid medicines and baby food/milk are exempt from the 100ml rule but may be subject to additional screening. |
| Powders | Powders purchased in duty-free are allowed provided they are packaged in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB) with a receipt proving purchase. |
| Electronic devices | All electronic devices must be charged. Devices such as laptops, tablets, and cameras must be removed from hand luggage and placed in a separate tray for screening. |
| Food | Food is allowed but it is suggested to put it in hold luggage as it can obstruct x-ray images and be mistaken for something suspicious. Liquids or gels in food must adhere to the 100ml rule and be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. Regular solid food is allowed. |
| Prohibited items | Sharp objects, sporting goods, scissors, razor blades, lighters, fireworks, toy guns, darts, pool cues, slingshots, sports bats, non-medical use needles, nails, hammers, and screwdrivers. |
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What You'll Learn
Liquids, gels, and pastes must be under 100ml
Liquids, gels, and pastes must adhere to the 100ml rule when passing through airport security at Heathrow. This rule applies to food items as well. For example, yoghurt, jam, and other gel-like foods must be in containers smaller than 100ml. Similarly, you cannot bring paste-like foods such as peanut butter or hummus in hand luggage.
Liquid medicines are exempt from the 100ml rule, but only if you can prove that you need them during your flight. You will need documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or a letter from a medical practitioner. Medications should be accompanied by this proof when passing through security.
Baby food and milk are also exempt from the 100ml rule. You can pass through security with enough baby milk, food, and sterilised water for the length of your journey. Security might request to scan these items, and the accompanying passenger may be asked to taste them.
All liquids must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag and removed from your cabin baggage before passing through security. The bag should not exceed 20cm by 20cm.
It is recommended that you place food in your hold luggage rather than hand luggage, as food can obstruct x-ray images and may be mistaken for something suspicious.
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Powders and liquids must be in tamper-evident bags
Liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) must be packed in checked baggage. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, liquid medicines and baby food or milk, including breast milk, are exempt from the 100ml rule. But, they may be subject to additional screening. If you are travelling with liquid medication, you must carry documentary proof of its authenticity, such as a prescription or a letter from a medical practitioner.
Powders and liquids purchased at duty-free can be carried in hand luggage, but they must be packaged in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB). The STEB must be sealed with a receipt inside, proving that the item was purchased airside at an airport. If you are travelling with duty-free liquids, they must be in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag and must not show signs of tampering when presented for screening.
Liquids that are not in a secure, tamper-evident bag and are over 100ml will not be permitted through security. These must be packed in your hold baggage. Flasks are also not permitted. Each container or bag should not exceed 2 litres.
Food is allowed on a plane, but it is recommended to put food in your hold luggage rather than hand luggage as it can obstruct images on the x-ray machine and may be mistaken for something suspicious. Regular solid foods, such as sandwiches and fruit, can be in your luggage. However, gel foods, such as yoghurt or jam, must adhere to the 100ml rule. You cannot bring paste foods, such as peanut butter or hummus, in hand luggage.
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Solid foods are allowed
Solid foods are generally allowed in hand luggage when passing through airport security at Heathrow. This includes items such as sandwiches and fruit. However, it is recommended that food be placed in hold luggage rather than hand luggage, as it can obstruct x-ray images and may be mistaken for something suspicious.
It is important to note that any liquids or gels in your food must adhere to the 100ml rule and must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. This includes gel foods such as yoghurt or jam. Pasted foods, such as peanut butter or hummus, are not permitted in hand luggage.
Baby food and milk are exempt from the 100ml rule but may be subject to additional screening. If you are travelling with a baby, you can bring a sufficient amount of baby food, milk, and sterilised water for the length of your journey. Each liquid container must hold no more than 100ml and must be placed in a clear and resealable bag.
Other items that are not allowed in hand luggage include sharp objects such as knives, scissors, and razor blades, as well as sporting goods such as bats, clubs, and martial arts equipment. Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and cameras must be removed from hand luggage and placed in a separate tray for screening.
It is always best to check with airport security if you are unsure about any food items in your hand luggage. Heathrow is in the process of upgrading its security equipment, so passengers should prepare for security as normal until all upgrades are complete.
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Baby food and milk are exempt from the 100ml rule
When travelling with a baby, you're allowed to carry baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water onboard for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much baby food you can bring, but it is recommended that you check with your airport before travelling.
Breast milk should be in liquid form and not frozen. Formula milk, baby juice, and other baby food are not exempt from the 100ml rule and cannot be carried in quantities greater than 100ml. If you are travelling without an infant, only breast milk can be carried in quantities greater than 100ml.
If you would prefer, you can also purchase baby milk or baby food at Heathrow Airport after you have passed through security.
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Food in hand luggage may be mistaken for something suspicious
Food is allowed in hand luggage when travelling through Heathrow Airport. However, it is recommended that food be packed into hold baggage where possible. This is because food can obstruct x-ray images, or be mistaken for suspicious items, which may result in additional security checks. To reduce the likelihood of this, food should be kept in its original commercial packaging, with unbroken seals.
Foods that are considered liquids, such as peanut butter, marmalade, jams, chutneys, honey, Nutella, hummus, and syrups, must adhere to the 100ml rule and be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. Liquids include drinks, creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, lip gloss, sprays, foams, pastes, gels, solutions, and semi-liquid foods.
Medications and baby food/milk are exempt from the 100ml rule but may be subject to additional screening. Breast milk should be in a liquid format and not frozen. Only breast milk can be carried in quantities greater than 100ml, and this does not apply to formula milk or other baby juice/food. Liquid medicines are only permitted in excess of the 100ml rule if they are required during the flight and are accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription.
Powders purchased in duty-free may be carried if packaged in a security tamper-evident bag with a receipt proving purchase. Electronic devices must be charged and will not be permitted onboard if they are powerless.
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Frequently asked questions
Solid foods, such as sandwiches and fruit, are allowed in hand luggage. Liquids, gels, and foods with a paste-like consistency, such as yoghurt, jam, peanut butter, and hummus, are subject to the 100ml rule and must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. Baby food and breast milk are exempt from the 100ml rule but may be subject to additional screening. Powders and airport-purchased liquids must be in a security tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible.
Food items that are prohibited at Heathrow Airport include sharp objects such as knives, scissors, and razor blades, as well as sporting goods such as bats, clubs, and martial arts equipment.
It is recommended to place food in hold luggage rather than hand luggage as it can obstruct x-ray images and may be mistaken for something suspicious.
In addition to sharp objects and sporting goods, other prohibited items in your hand luggage at Heathrow Airport include lighters, fireworks, toy guns, replica guns, darts, pool cues, slingshots, non-medical use needles, nails, hammers, and screwdrivers.
