TSA's Guidelines About Bringing Candy On The Plane

Traveling by plane comes with a long list of must-follows in terms of safety and security. Throw in a handful of the TSA's strict carry-on rules and guidelines that dictate exactly what you can, can't, and shouldn't bring on board, and packing for a flight can quickly feel like you're trying to win at an impossible game of chance. 

From liquids to electronics, foods to toiletries, and even sports equipment to hair styling tools, there are lots of everyday items out there that can run into unexpected restrictions or outright bans at the hands of TSA agents. And while the list of odd things you probably had no idea are allowed by TSA is long, the same goes for day-to-day items that can easily end up confiscated (or thrown out) if you're not careful.

Enter everyone's favorite guilty pleasure: candy. Although it might seem like a simple enough snack to pack, the rules aren't always as straightforward as you might think. Although most types of sweets are perfectly fine to bring on a plane, there are some exceptions out there that don't always meet TSA's requirements, which means they're better off left behind.

Most sweet-toothed travelers will be happy to hear that the TSA generally allows candy on planes. So whether you prefer chocolate bars, gummy bears, hard candies, chewing gum, or lollipops, you're usually in the clear to pack these treats into both your carry-on and checked luggage without any real issues. This, is because the TSA classifies most of them as solid food items — meaning that they're not subject to the same restrictions as liquids or gels.

In terms of how much you can pack, the news is also pretty satisfying. Per the TSA's official X account, @AskTSA, you're safe to bring everything from individually wrapped candies to family-sized bags through airport security with no limits on quantity. That way, if you're gearing up for a long-haul flight, you can rest assured that you won't have to worry about how to get your sugary fix at 30,000 feet.

Despite this seemingly sweet taste of freedom, it's also worth noting that there are some exceptions to the rule. Specifically, the fact that all liquid or gel-like candies — think chocolate syrups, large liquid-filled candies, ice cream, or even squeezable candy tubes — must comply with the TSA's 3-1-1 liquids rule, which ultimately limits them to a maximum of 3.4 ounces or less. Unfortunately for some travelers, that probably means the sugary dreams of a mid-air vanilla sundae with chocolate fudge are dead before take-off — unless, of course, you choose to repack the ingredients in a travel-friendly container.

Oh, and as for another important rule that falls under the not-so-sweet category, there's also the question of whether or not you're allowed to go through TSA with marijuana gummies (they are technically candy, right?). The short answer? It's best not to risk it. Despite their harmless appearance, edibles are mostly illegal under federal law — and attempting to bring them through security could result in some pretty serious legal consequences.