Going through airport screening can be stressful, and not just because it may take a while. There’s always the concern of TSA flagging something you packed for any number of reasons.
Recently, TSA announced it would be “cracking down” on power banks and portable chargers, which can not be checked and must be stored in carry-on luggage because of possible overheating, called “thermal runaway.”
“Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed. Thermal runaway can also occur on its own due to manufacturing defects,” the FAA said in its announcement.
Of course, one can understand the potential hazards with those objects, but there are other seemingly harmless items that may trigger TSA personnel as well.
Travel and Leisure’s Iona Brannon recently spoke with a TSA spokesperson for a feature on some surprising things that can get you flagged in the security line.
On that list are a couple of food items that you probably wouldn’t expect.
Protein powders/spices
Health-conscious folks often travel with their supply of protein, and it can be common to bring back spices from a trip to a different part of the country or overseas.
However, those items can raise suspicion on the security line, so the TSA spokesperson recommends notifying the agents ahead of time.
“Transportation Security Officers appreciate when passengers alert them to unusual items, such as powders, formulas, and spices, so they might be best positioned to assist with screening before the item is found and alarms for a bag search,” the spokesperson said.
Peanut Butter
This one doesn’t make sense, until you consider that peanut butter is actually considered a liquid.
That means, by rule, a jar of peanut butter can violate the TSA’s famous limit of 3.4 ounces in a container.
