The TSA will inspect powdered material in airline passengers’ carry-on bags at airport checkpoints, adding to liquids and gels that already are scrutinized by the Transportation Security Administration.
The items checked may include such products as baby powders, powder cosmetics, drink mixes, dry spices, talcum powder, or protein mixes.
Passengers on security lines will be asked to remove containers in their bags that hold at least 350 milliliters of powder, which is about the size of a soda can, CBS News reported.
It’s a rule similar to regulations in effect for gels and liquids. It is designed to reduce the risk of explosive material or harmful agents such as pepper spray being smuggled onto a plane. As it is, powder cans could be mistaken for explosive substances on X-ray machines, causing further searching of bags.
Aside from extra screening, the containers could be banned from the airplane cabin, discarded, or placed in checked baggage if TSA officers can’t determine the powder contents, CNN noted.
So, the TSA is encouraging passengers to put powder material that amounts to more than 12 ounces in checked baggage. If passengers don’t prefer that, they will be required to take the containers out of carry-on bags at checkpoint. Flyers in the TSA Pre program are not affected.
The powder rules go into effect for international flights to the U.S. on June 30 after TSA communicated with global partners for worldwide security measures.
The agency began strengthening measures last summer for carry-on bags, stating that certain foods and powders may obstruct clear images on X-ray machines.