Last Updated on October 23, 2021
Applesauce makes the perfect addition to any lunch box.
But what if lunch is going to be served 6 miles up in the sky?
Can you pack applesauce in carry-on bags and take it on a plane?
Let’s see what the rules are.
TSA Applesauce Rules
The Transportation Security Administration runs the airport security checkpoint. They decide what you can and can’t bring on to a plane.
They don’t mention applesauce specifically on their website.
To get you a definitive answer I had to dig a little deeper.
There are two crucial points to look at:
- Is applesauce considered a liquid by the TSA?
- Is the applesauce for an adult or an infant?
Importantly, the TSA does consider applesauce to be a liquid.
Scott on Twitter asked if he could bring these applesauce packets on the plane:
The TSA answered that “applesauce in containers 3.4 oz or less are allowed in carry-on bags. Please pack them in your quart-sized liquids bag”. But that rule is only when you are not traveling with an infant.
Perhaps they answered like this because Scott didn’t specify who the applesauce packets were for. There is a different rule if you are packing applesauce as baby food.
If you are an adult the solution is easy. You can bring as many solid apples in your carry-on bag as you want:
You then just need to chew to make your own no added sugar applesauce in your mouth!
Karrie asked specifically about packing applesauce for a 3-year-old infant.
You can bring milk, juice, and applesauce in carry-on bags for an infant. The containers can be more than 3.4 oz. You need to remove them from your carry-on and place them in a separate bin for additional screening at the security checkpoint.
Some of you might be wondering. What is the cut-off age?
There is no official cut-off point. Here is how the TSA defines it.
For the purposes of our screening procedures, a toddler is defined as a child who receives assistance in walking by an adult throughout the screening process.
So…
Listen up kids…
If you want the applesauce you’ll need to hold my hand, or ride in the stroller, when going through the checkpoint!
Think I’m joking?
The TSA took some apple juice away from Kathy’s kid:
So if your child is getting older it might be better to pack larger quantities of applesauce in checked baggage.
Also, remember that this is only about getting through airport security. Any applesauce that you purchased after the checkpoint can be brought onto the plane.
You can also pack applesauce in checked luggage without restriction.
Still Unsure? Ask The TSA
You can ping the TSA a message on Twitter and they’ll get back to you.
Jay had made homemade applesauce and didn’t want to pack it in checked luggage:
Jay was right. Applesauce is classed as baby food, but only if you are flying with a baby!
It might have been a better idea to pack the solid apples and make the applesauce back at home.
Elizabeth wanted to pack apple butter in a glass jar in her carry-on luggage:
Since apple butter is a liquid you can only pack 3.4 oz containers in hand luggage.
If there are no toddlers involved it really comes down to whether or not the TSA considers the food items to be a liquid or not.
That’s why there are no problems bringing dried apples on a plane.
Mashing something up sometimes causes a solid to become a liquid in the eyes of the TSA.
That’s why solid peanuts are fine but peanut butter is restricted. And it’s the same for applesauce, solid apples are fine but mashed apples become a liquid.
If for some reason you really needed to fly with a larger quantity of applesauce and didn’t have a toddler to help you get it through security you could freeze it.
If applesauce is frozen solid when presented for screening it will be allowed through the checkpoint.
The Verdict
If you are an adult and are not traveling with an infant or toddler applesauce is limited to containers that are 3.4 oz or less. It must be packed in your quart-size toiletries bag.
If you have an infant or toddler with you applesauce is not restricted but you need to place it in a separate bin for screening.
Your toddler must not be able to walk without the help of an adult to qualify.