Can you bring salad dressing on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will salad dressing remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Salad Dressing On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Salad Dressing on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes |
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Can You Bring Salad Dressing on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security* |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes* |
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*You can bring salad dressing on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring salad dressing into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Salad Dressing Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Can you bring salad dressing into the U.S.A.? |
Yes in most cases (see below) |
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How Long Will Salad Dressing Last In Your Luggage? |
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Salad Dressing, sold refrigerated: - unopened or opened package: |
-2 hours at room temperature |
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Salad dressing, sold unrefrigerated: -commercially packaged, opened |
-1 day at room temperature (unless package says refrigeration not necessary)
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- commercially packaged, unopened |
-12 to 18 months at room temperature |
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Salad Dressing, homemade and containing dairy products like milk or sour cream:
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-2 hours at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING SALAD DRESSING ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring salad dressing through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, you can bring salad dressing through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Salad dressing falls under the Transportation Security Administration’s “3-1-1 liquids rule”, which requires that all liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage be stored in 3.4-ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers — all of which must fit into one quart-sized plastic bag.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Will a salad that has been tossed with salad dressing be allowed through airport security?
Maybe — but if there is too much liquid collecting in the bottom of the salad container, the TSA agent on duty may not allow it through. If you want to add salad dressing to your salad before you head through security, go easy on the dressing and try to make sure it is absorbed by the salad. Another alternative is to put the salad dressing into a separate container that holds no more than 3.4 ounces, and include that in your liquids bag.
Can you bring salad dressing on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring salad dressing in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. And unlike the case with carry-on baggage, you can bring as much salad dressing as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the salad dressing is tightly sealed and then overwrap the jar with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the jar inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To help prevent breakage, roll the jar inside a thick, washable garment or towel. For salad dressings that need to be kept refrigerated, pack them along with some ice or a frozen gel pack to keep them cold throughout the trip.
Can you bring salad dressing on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring salad dressing on an international flight departing from the U.S., either in your carry-on baggage or your checked luggage. If your intention is to bring the salad dressing onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and consume it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing salad dressing through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring salad dressing into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, it may have to be in its original packaging and unopened. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING SALAD DRESSING INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring salad dressing on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring bottled salad dressing into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.
Note that even if the salad dressing is allowed, you must declare all foods that you bring into the United States — whether they are allowable or not — to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and permit them to be inspected by a CBP agent. The penalties for failing to declare your food items can be steep; bear in mind also that the CBP routinely conducts random screenings for arriving passengers.
FOOD SAFETY: HOW LONG WILL SALAD DRESSING LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Salad dressing that was purchased unrefrigerated will generally keep well for about 18 months if unopened and stored at room temperature. Once opened, it will usually stay safe for one day at room temperature, unless the package indicates that refrigeration is not necessary after opening.
Salad dressing that was purchased refrigerated, whether unopened or opened, will usually remain safe for 2 hours when stored at room temperature. You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep the dressing cooler longer. But ice or gel packs in your carry-on luggage must be completely frozen when passing through airport security — if they are even partially thawed, the TSA screeners will likely bring them from you.
Note: While the above information is based on applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines at the time of publication, the final decision for whether to allow a food item through airport security or into the United States rests with the TSA and CBP officers on duty at the airport. Regulations also change frequently: For the latest information, check the US Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration websites.
