Frozen Food
Solid frozen food is allowed in carry-on and checked bags, but it must be frozen solid, not slushy, when you reach screening.
Carry-on
Allowed with conditions
Checked
Allowed
Carry-on details
Allowed with conditions. Solid frozen food — meat, seafood, vegetables, and other non-liquid items — is allowed in carry-on. If it's packed with ice or gel packs, those must be completely frozen solid at the checkpoint; if they've partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, that liquid must meet the standard 3.4 oz carry-on limit.
Checked-bag details
Allowed. No restriction in checked baggage, and partial thawing isn't screened the way it is at the carry-on checkpoint — though a well-insulated cooler is still a good idea to avoid leaks.
Special instructions
Pack food solidly frozen and use a cooler with enough ice for your travel time; slushy or partially melted items get treated as liquids at the carry-on checkpoint.
Related rules
FAQ
- What happens if my frozen food thaws before the checkpoint?
- If ice packs or frozen food are partially melted or slushy with liquid pooling at the bottom, TSA treats that liquid under the standard 3.4 oz carry-on rule. Keep items solidly frozen or pack them in checked baggage instead.
Related items
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · Last verified: 2026-07-30
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.