TSA Issues New Warning About 2 Common Airport Habits That Invite Hackers

Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, July 28th 2025 at 9:01 GMT by Southern Living
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TSA Warns Travelers About Two Everyday Items That Could Cause Major Headaches at Airport Security

As summer travel season kicks into high gear, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is urging passengers to double-check their carry-on bags for two surprisingly common items that could lead to delays, confiscations, or even fines at airport checkpoints. In a recent advisory, the agency highlighted peanut butter and hand sanitizer as potential troublemakers, emphasizing how these everyday essentials can fall afoul of strict security regulations. With millions of Americans expected to take to the skies in the coming months, this warning serves as a timely reminder of the evolving rules designed to keep air travel safe, even if they sometimes catch well-intentioned travelers off guard.

Peanut butter, that staple of school lunches and quick snacks, might seem innocuous, but the TSA classifies it as a liquid or gel under its longstanding 3-1-1 rule. This regulation, introduced in 2006 following a foiled terrorist plot involving liquid explosives, limits carry-on liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols to containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. All such items must fit into a single, clear, quart-sized plastic bag, which is then presented separately during screening. The TSA's reasoning is straightforward: peanut butter's spreadable consistency makes it behave like a liquid, capable of being molded or shaped in ways that could potentially conceal prohibited substances.

In their advisory, TSA officials pointed out that many travelers are unaware of this classification, leading to frequent surprises at security lines. "We've seen an uptick in incidents where passengers attempt to bring full jars of peanut butter through checkpoints, only to have them confiscated," a TSA spokesperson explained. "It's not about the peanut butter itself being dangerous—it's about consistency in applying our rules to ensure nothing slips through that could pose a risk." This isn't the first time spreads have made headlines; similar issues have arisen with items like Nutella, jam, and even hummus, all of which are treated as liquids due to their viscous nature.

The implications for travelers can be significant. If a jar of peanut butter exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit or isn't properly bagged, it could be tossed out on the spot, leaving snack-dependent flyers high and dry during long flights. In more extreme cases, repeated violations or arguments with screeners could escalate to involvement from law enforcement, though such scenarios are rare. To avoid these pitfalls, the TSA recommends either packing larger quantities of peanut butter in checked luggage—where the 3-1-1 rule doesn't apply—or opting for solid alternatives like peanut butter-filled energy bars that don't qualify as liquids.

But peanut butter isn't the only culprit in the TSA's latest warning. The second common item drawing scrutiny is hand sanitizer, another pandemic-era essential that has become a fixture in many people's daily routines. While hand sanitizer was temporarily exempted from some liquid restrictions during the height of COVID-19 to encourage hygiene, those leniencies have largely been rolled back as travel normalizes. Now, like peanut butter, hand sanitizer must adhere to the 3-1-1 guidelines, meaning bottles larger than 3.4 ounces are a no-go in carry-ons unless they're medically necessary and declared in advance.

The TSA's concern here stems from the alcohol content in most hand sanitizers, which can be flammable and thus poses a theoretical fire risk in the confined space of an aircraft cabin. "Hand sanitizer is incredibly useful, especially in crowded airports, but we have to balance convenience with safety," the spokesperson noted. "Travelers should look for travel-sized versions or decant larger bottles into compliant containers." This rule has caught many off guard, particularly those who stockpiled jumbo bottles during the health crisis and haven't adjusted their packing habits.

Beyond these two items, the TSA's advisory ties into broader trends in airport security as passenger volumes surge. Last year alone, the agency screened over 800 million travelers, confiscating everything from oversized toiletries to forgotten pocket knives. The emphasis on liquids remains a cornerstone of these efforts, rooted in the 2006 plot that prompted the 3-1-1 rule's creation. Intelligence agencies had uncovered plans to detonate liquid explosives disguised as beverages on transatlantic flights, leading to a global overhaul of carry-on restrictions. While the rules have been tweaked over the years—such as allowing larger quantities of hand sanitizer during the pandemic—they continue to evolve with emerging threats, including advancements in explosive detection technology.

For context, the TSA isn't alone in enforcing such measures; similar regulations exist worldwide, though enforcement can vary. In the European Union, for instance, the liquid limit is also 100 milliliters per container, but some airports use advanced scanners that may eventually phase out the bagging requirement. In the U.S., the TSA is piloting new CT scanners at select airports that provide 3D images of bag contents, potentially allowing liquids to remain inside bags during screening. However, until these technologies are widespread, travelers must stick to the current protocols.

To help mitigate confusion, the TSA offers several resources for passengers. Their official app and website feature a "What Can I Bring?" search tool, where users can query specific items like peanut butter or hand sanitizer to get instant guidance. Additionally, the agency encourages enrolling in TSA PreCheck, a trusted traveler program that expedites screening for low-risk passengers, often allowing them to keep liquids in their bags without removal. With over 10 million members, PreCheck has become a popular way to bypass some of the hassles, though it doesn't exempt users from the underlying rules.

Travel experts echo the TSA's advice, stressing the importance of preparation. "A little planning goes a long way," says aviation analyst Sarah Jenkins, who has covered air travel for over a decade. "People often forget that 'liquid' isn't just about water—it's about anything that can flow or spread. Packing smart means checking the rules ahead of time and considering alternatives, like buying items after security or shipping them to your destination." Jenkins points out that airports increasingly offer post-security shopping options, including travel-sized essentials, which can be a lifesaver for those who overlook the restrictions.

The warning also comes amid a broader push for sustainability in travel. With environmental concerns on the rise, some passengers are opting for reusable containers to comply with the 3-1-1 rule, filling them with homemade spreads or sanitizers. However, the TSA cautions that all containers must be clearly labeled and easily inspectable to avoid delays. Moreover, for those with dietary needs—such as nut allergies or preferences for organic peanut butter—the agency allows medically necessary items in larger quantities, provided they're declared and screened separately.

As we head into peak travel periods like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, the TSA projects record-breaking crowds, with daily screenings potentially topping 3 million passengers. This surge underscores the need for vigilance, not just with peanut butter and hand sanitizer, but with all carry-on items. Forgotten water bottles, lotions, and even seemingly solid foods like cheese can trigger alerts if they're deemed spreadable.

In response to public feedback, the TSA has ramped up educational campaigns, including social media posts and airport signage, to clarify these rules. One viral tweet from the agency humorously depicted a jar of peanut butter next to a ruler, illustrating the size limit and captioning it, "Spread the word, not the peanut butter—unless it's under 3.4 oz!" Such lighthearted approaches aim to make the information more digestible, reducing frustration at checkpoints.

Ultimately, the TSA's warning about these two common items isn't meant to deter travel but to enhance it by preventing avoidable disruptions. By understanding and adhering to the rules, passengers can focus on the excitement of their journeys rather than the stress of security lines. Whether you're jetting off for a beach vacation or a business trip, a quick review of your bag could mean the difference between a smooth takeoff and an unexpected detour. As air travel continues to rebound, staying informed remains key to navigating the skies safely and efficiently.

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