Tourists flying back from Europe this summer with a stash of its famed marzipan take note: do not pack it in your checked luggage.
That's the advice from a baggage handler in Ireland who revealed why the particular treat can cause delays with airport security.
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Marzipan tends to set off an alert when it's in checked bags because the almond-paste confection can read to the X-ray machines as an explosive, the unidentified Dublin Airport worker told RSVP Live.
"Don't ever pack Marzipan in your luggage. It has the same density as some explosives so your bag will be removed and you'll be called from the plane for a bag search," he told the outlet.
Well-packed marzipan has a density of around 8-11 ounces per cup.
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The TSA in the U.S. does not specifically call out marzipan as something passengers should not include in their baggage, with many snacks and food allowed.
"TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine," the TSA website reads.
"Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving."
The majority of flammables, however, are banned under the organization's rules.
Every day, the TSA screen around 1.3 million checked bags, looking for explosives and other dangerous items, with most not requiring additional checks.
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If a prohibited item is removed from a bag, it is unlikely to be returned to a passenger.
John also gave travelers some other advice, including avoiding tying ribbons around their suitcases.
"Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall," he added.
"If the bag can't be scanned automatically it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn't make it to the flight".
Passengers should also take old stickers off their bags to avoid confusion during scanning, he said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dan Gooding is a Newsweek reporter based in New York City. His focus is reporting on immigration and the U.S.-Mexico ... Read more
