The words “Italian grandma” and “sauce” are music to the ears, but unfortunately, they weren’t enough to save a sweet Nonna from getting into some hot water with the TSA.
A video posted by TikTok user @emmaquirk42 shows an Italian grandmother at a U.S. airport security checkpoint as TSA officers remove jars of homemade pasta sauce from her bag. The video opens as the grandma explains to a TSA officer that one of the jars “has meatballs.”
The officer explains that she can’t take it through security because “it’s liquid.”
The grandma was visibly upset as she looked at the camera and whimpered, “They took my sauce,” adding, “and I told them it’s for my grandson.”
Why TSA officers had no choice
Sauces, even if prepared by loving Nonna, are considered liquids because of their pourable texture and high water content. This means they are subject to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids, which limits passengers to containers of liquids, gels, or aerosols that are 3.4 ounces or less in a single quart-sized, clear, resealable bag.
This policy applies even if the container is sealed or homemade, since officers can’t verify its contents without opening it.
There’s a loophole the grandma didn’t know about
Frozen sauces are allowed through security checkpoints
(Kevin Brine via Getty Images)
There is a loophole that would have helped this sweet grandma bring the sauce to her grandson. Under TSA rules, you are allowed to bring full-sized liquids, as long as they’re frozen. If she’d put the sauce in the freezer and carried it through TSA in a cooler packed with ice, she would have been permitted to bring it on the plane.
Full-sized liquids are also permitted in checked bags, so if she’d dropped it off at the airline check-in counter, her grandson would be enjoying her gift.
The internet was heartbroken
The comments were in support of the grandma
(David Tran via Getty Images)
Comments on the video sympathised with the Nonna. Some, with a healthy dose of humor.
“All of Newark airport is enjoying Mimi’s cooking.”
“During ITALIAN HERITAGE month!??? How could they?”
“u know TSA lady is gonna heat up that sauce later lol.”
The bottom line
If you’re traveling with full-sized liquids, freeze them before you pass through TSA.
Dining and Cooking