Peanut Butter - the final verdict

As I know you are all patiently awaiting the outcome of the big peanut butter on a plane question, stay tuned. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, here is the abridged version.

Gluten free celiac, flying across the big blue ocean. Have been warned that airlines not the greatest at providing gluten free meals and advised to take back up food. Plan involved 1.5 oz packets of peanut butter, until I was informed that peanut butter is not allowed, because apparently it is the same consistency as an explosive? Looked and looked and looked some more, and found no conclusive answer. Including the not exactly not confusing TSA website. Finally decided to contact TSA. Emailed Sunday evening, received email response less than 24 hours later. Called Monday and received almost the same reply from a live person.

Live person reply: Since the packets are 1.5 oz and I plan to put them in my quart size liquids bag, not an issue at all.

Email reply:

Thank you for your email message.

Passengers are allowed to bring special food items and liquids for necessary for medical conditions. Passengers are not limited in the amount or volume of these items they may bring in their carry-on baggage. However, if these items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, the passenger must declare the items to one of our TSO's at the checkpoint for further inspection. Guidelines have been provided to all airports that should allow the TSO to clear these items.

Regarding your question as to how you may prevent spoilage to your special food items, any food items that you can freeze and have securely wrapped or in a spill-proof container may be carried through the security checkpoint. After you clear the security checkpoint, ice may be purchased inside the secure areas of airports for you to cool any other food items for the duration of your trip.

We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.

TSA Contact Center

Now, I did not ask about how to prevent my food from spoiling, because I was sure to plan things that do not need refrigeration, but I am glad that they included that information. It also leads me to believe that they use a keyword recognition program to send replies, and that may be why I had my reply so fast. Either way, great job TSA! I am very impressed and quite happy with the answer. The thought of having my peanut butter confiscated and starving the whole 8 hour flight was not something that I was looking forward to.