Can you take your own food on a plane? Everything you need to know

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If you've got a holiday planned or are keen to get one organised and need to check those baggage rules, we've got you sorted.

– just being in the airport can put a lot of pressure on your budget.

The cost of grub and drinks at the airport is generally more expensive than what you find on most high streets back home, so you might be better off splurging on some tapas with a decent view, rather than just grabbing a sandwich near your gate.

So, keeping that in mind, what are the rules?

Can you take food through airport security?

When it comes to carrying food through airport security,

The UK government says: 'Food items and powders in your hand luggage can cause blockages in X-ray machines. Your baggage might need to be inspected manually by security. It's best to pack these items in your checked luggage to avoid delays.'

However, it also states: 'You can't generally chuck frozen stuff in your carry-on bag, like liquids, tucker or ice packs.'

There are limits on luggage you can carry on board, so make sure you have a good look before your trip.

Do any companies enforce their own policies?

Just between you and me, you're good to chock on board snacks, as long as you follow these simple rules, sorted!

You're more than welcome to bring your own tucker on board their planes.

The website says: ‘You can take your own tucker into the cabin, although we've got a decent range of grub and drinks available for purchase on board. Your liquid food, like soups or desserts, have a 100 millilitre cap, though.’

‘Collie the customs regulations for bringing food and drink into your destination country, as they can be quite different in each place.’

You can take booze bought in the airside departure lounge onto the plane, but it has to be sealed, as you can't consume anything that wasn't sold on the aircraft.

(Please note that while I have attempted to maintain the original meaning and rules, some liberties have been taken to make it sound more like everyday Australian English)

Feel free to bring your own tucker and drinks on board.

But they don't include hot drinks and booze.

They reckon: 'For safety reasons, we can't have passengers on board the plane with hot cups of coffee or grog, and we can't let them have a drink before the plane's wheels are back on the tarmac.'

They also give you permission to bring as much baby milk, powdered milk, sterilised water, and baby food as you need on the flight, even if it's more than the usual amount of liquids allowed, and as much liquid medicine as you need for the flight.

1045:

You're permitted to take food in your carry-on bag on planes, provided it's in a solid form.

However, they do point out that it should be packed securely and not have a strong smell to avoid causing distress for other travellers.

should be stored in accordance with safety guidelines.

A: We only allow one hand luggage item on a flight with British Airways, and one small bag of duty free shopping in your hand luggage, which must not exceed 70 × 37 × 20cm in size. To put simply, we have fixed sides: roughly the size of a sandwich, minus the sandwich.

Having solid food things like sandwiches, biscuits, fruit, nuts and so on are allowed on board but the same rules for liquids also apply to liquid food stuff, eg drinks, soups, sauces, jam or jelly.

However, the website advises that certain foods may be subject to restrictions depending on the country you're travelling to.

Never carry more than 10L of liquids, gels or aerosols in your carry on bag, which includes baby food and special dietary needs. Those items come in a container of 100ml or less, they are sealed, and fit into a clear resealable bag no larger than 20x20cm.

‘Mate, food items and powders in your hand luggage can cause blurred images on x-ray machines. Your bags might need to be manually checked by security, which could delay your trip. You're better off chucking 'em in your checked luggage to avoid the hold-up.’

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‘You can't bring on hot meals or hot drinks with you on the plane, but you can buy some tasty options to take with you.

How does it work regarding food on planes in the States?

It's a bit more complicated in the States as different rules apply to each type of food.

You can bring solid food items in your carry-on or checked luggage.

Airports staff may ask travellers to chuck their carry-on bags and remove items like food, powder, and any gear that might block the X-ray machine's view. People are encouraged to keep their carry-on bags neatly sorted and clutter-free to make the security check go smoothly and keep the queues moving quickly.

* Jumper cables and spare batteries for electronic devices

• Baby food
• Bread
• Candy
• Cereal
• Barbecued meat, seafood and chook's veggies (no sauces)
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Dried Fruits
• Fresh Eggs
• Gum
• Nuts
• Pies and cakes
• Pizza
• Protein or energy powders
• Salt
• Sandwiches
• Snacks and snack bars
• Spices (dry)
• Tamales
• Tea

However, some items have specific instructions you need to follow for taking them on planes, as they might only be allowed in carry-on luggage.

* "Magnetic materials: Reusable water Crock, other: Follow airline regulations for acceptable container sizes and limitations."

• Alcoholic beverages
• Baby formula
• Bottled water
• Breast milk
• Canned foods
• Cheese
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Creamy Dips and Spreads
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
• Fresh Meat and Seafood
• Frozen Food
• Gel ice packs
• Gravy
• Honey
• Hummus
• Ice cream
• Jam and jelly
• Juice for babies
• Juices
• Live lobster
• Maple syrup
• Oils and vinegar
• Peanut butter
• Pet food
• Salad dressing
• Salsa and sauces
• Soups
• Yoghurt

In both your hand luggage and checked luggage

The website also warns travellers from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands to the mainland US that they can't bring most fresh foods like fruits and veggies because of the danger of spreading pest plants.

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