TSA reminds travelers common pantry staple counts as a liquid at airport security
Travelers may want to take a closer look at what they pack for their next flight after the Transportation Security Administration reminded passengers that peanut butter falls under the agency’s liquids rule.
What they're saying:
The TSA recently used X to remind travelers that peanut butter is considered a liquid when passing through airport security.
"Peanut butter is a liquid... we said what we said... this time with receipts," the agency wrote.
The TSA shared a screenshot of a Google AI Overview explaining why the popular spread can be classified as a liquid.
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Why you should care:
Under TSA rules, liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on bags must be stored in containers holding 3.4 ounces or less and fit inside a quart-sized bag, according to the agency’s website.
Larger quantities of peanut butter can be placed in checked luggage.
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Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital that peanut butter’s consistency is what places it under the liquids rule.
"You can't bring peanut butter, [as] the TSA considers that to be a liquid because it conforms to the shape of its container rather than retaining its shape on its own," Leff said.
The rule does not mean travelers must avoid bringing food through airport security.
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"There are more things you can bring through security than you might even realize," Leff said.
Leff suggested travelers eat before arriving at the airport or pack foods permitted through security, particularly because airport dining can be expensive and choices may be limited.
"Wherever you go that's not the airport is going to have better food at the same price," Leff said.
The other side:
Fox News Digital reached out to the TSA for comment.
The TSA’s classification has sparked debate online, with some travelers questioning whether peanut butter should really be considered a liquid.
"I would invite TSA to drink a pint of peanut butter, then," one Reddit user joked.
"So make your sandwich first," another commenter wrote, suggesting a simple workaround for travelers who want to bring peanut butter along.
Fox News Digital previously reported on another TSA reminder that prompted debate after the agency weighed in on an unusual airport practice.
In July, the TSA suggested travelers could bring hammocks to airports during long layovers, writing on social media, "Nobody said you couldn't bring a hammock to the airport."
What you can do:
The agency advised travelers to check with individual airports before setting up a hammock because rules regarding their use vary by location.
The suggestion divided travelers online, with some saying hammocks could disrupt crowded terminals while others embraced the idea as a way to get comfortable during long waits.
The Source: FOX Business contributed to this report. The story’s information came from the TSA’s website and social media account on X, where the agency explained its liquids rule and peanut butter classification. It also included comments from travel expert Gary Leff, online reactions from Reddit users and previous reporting by Fox News Digital. This story was reported from Los Angeles.