Recently, Ellen Pompeo, the female lead of the hit American primetime drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” revealed that a bag of healthy snacks unexpectedly led her to be subjected to scrutiny by a “bomb squad” at the airport security checkpoint.
“I had a bag of sunflower seeds with me, they were the organic ones I bought from Erewhon supermarket, probably the most expensive sunflower seeds in the world,” Pompeo said in an interview with Travel + Leisure magazine.
According to a report published on May 29th, when she was flying in March, she had placed the snack in her carry-on luggage, only to be stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers in the airport, and eventually taken into a room for questioning by the “bomb squad,” causing a delay of a whole hour.
“They said it was likely that the chemical composition of this expensive high-end organic sunflower seed packaging set off an alarm,” she added, mentioning that she almost missed her flight.
Not long ago, another passenger, Chloe Gray, was questioned by TSA when flying from New Jersey to California, for carrying a whole roast chicken as her “brand-name bag,” and she was eventually allowed to board.
The TSA website specifies that most solid foods are allowed to be carried on board, including sandwiches, granola bars, hard cheeses, candies, baked goods (such as muffins, cookies), snacks (such as chips, non-dairy cereal), cooked meats, and fast food (like pizza, fried chicken).
Foods that are prohibited from being carried on board include yogurt, peanut butter, jams and jellies, soups, syrups, and gravies, all of which are classified as liquid items.
Despite many foods being permitted on board, TSA still reminds passengers to comply with relevant regulations:
– All liquid or gel-like foods must be in containers not exceeding 3.4 ounces (about 100 milliliters) and placed in a one-quart (approximately 950 milliliters) clear zip-top bag.
– Baby formula, breast milk, and baby food are allowed on board but must be declared and may require additional screening.
– Fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed on domestic flights within the United States but are subject to destination restrictions on international flights, with some countries limiting the entry of fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products.
– Unopened soda bottles not exceeding 3.4 ounces each can be brought on board, while open beverages will be confiscated.
– Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited as carry-on luggage.
TSA advises, “Security officers may request passengers to separate food, powder, and other items that may obstruct X-ray machine readings from their luggage. Passengers should keep their luggage tidy and organized for a quick passage through security.”
Ultimately, the decision on whether to allow a certain item on board rests with the TSA security officers.
(Adapted from a Fox News report)