While some countries are finally scrapping the restrictions put in place after the 9/11 attacks and heightened attentions to liquids, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s three-one-one liquid rule still requires all travelers passing through a U.S. airport to keep all liquids, gels, and aerosols they bring aboard in containers of no more than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters.
This causes constant slowdown at security screening as infrequent travelers either forget to take something out of their bag or misunderstand just what qualifies as a liquid.
The TSA, in turn, has been putting periodic and sometimes tongue-in-cheek reminders of the liquid rule around the holidays and heightened travel periods for years. Every Thanksgiving, the government agency reminds travelers that while a container of stuffing and turkey breast leftovers can be enjoyed at home, liquid cranberry sauce in larger amounts needs to be packed inside the checked suitcase.
“Happen to discover ranch while you’re here?” asks TSA
The latest TSA reminder that was received with much mirth on the internet concerns a quintessential American dressing that some foreign travelers arriving for the World Cup are discovering for the first time in a way that’s going social-media viral: ranch.
“If you’re visiting for a very large sporting event & you happen to discover RANCH while you’re here… pls pack it in your CHECKED BAG on the way home,” the government agency posted on social media platform Threads on June 11 to mark the first day of the FIFA World Cup.
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The facetious tone that TSA has increasingly been making a part of its social media strategy over the last few years was received with over 16,400 upvotes. It even caught the attention of United Airlines which said that this was “a lot of flavor to unpack.”
The dressing that is a mix of buttermilk, mayonnaise and various herbs and spices was invented by plumber Steve Henson in Alaska in 1952 and has become a global representation of American food in many parts of the world.
The TSA regularly puts out reminders of common foods that can cause trouble at security screening.
“Your carry-on wasn’t actually made for four bottles of ranch and a taser”: TSA
“Yeah soooo your carry-on wasn’t actually made for *checks notes* 4 bottles of ranch & a taser,” the TSA hammered home in the slides of an Instagram post on the same subject.
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And for those who do not heed the warning, the TSA posted a photo of Hidden Valley Ranch bottles abandoned by the screening line.
“Days since the last airport ranch incident: 0,” TSA wrote in a separate post as World Cup travel ramps up and the number of international travelers discovering that they have to chuck the bottle they hoped to bring back as a souvenir increases.
On its website, the TSA also identifies foods that most often get taken away at security as yogurt, hummus, creamy dips and spreads, jam, peanut butter, and cream cheese.
“If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it, or pour it, it is a liquid, aerosol, or gel and must be packed in your checked bag if it exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit,” the agency states in a refrain that it repeats in constant reminders about what not to pack inside a carry-on.
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