DUBLIN, IRELAND — July 13, 2025 — As Ireland’s busiest air hub continues to handle peak summer traffic, Dublin Airport has issued a surprising yet serious warning to all travelers: avoid packing marzipan in your luggage. While the almond-based confection is a popular souvenir and seasonal treat, airport security systems are increasingly flagging it as a potential threat due to its visual similarity to certain explosives on screening machines.
This unusual alert comes as part of an effort to streamline airport operations and prevent avoidable delays during one of the year’s most heavily traveled periods.
Why Is Marzipan a Security Concern at Airports?
Marzipan is made from ground almonds and sugar, resulting in a dense, dough-like consistency. When packed in blocks or logs, it appears solid and opaque on X-ray scans, sharing physical density characteristics with plastic explosives such as C-4. This resemblance has alarmed screening technology across major airports, including Dublin Airport, and forced authorities to halt baggage processing or conduct manual searches to rule out danger.
Security experts at daa (Dublin Airport Authority) have stated that while marzipan is not a banned item, its compact, clay-like texture sets off red flags in the explosives detection algorithms used by modern imaging systems. This leads to time-consuming checks, potential removal of luggage from the aircraft, and even passenger pull-offs from the flight.
Not Just Carry-On: All Baggage is Screened
This warning applies to both hand luggage and checked baggage. Whether stored under the seat, in overhead bins, or in cargo holds, all bags undergo advanced CT scanners or dual-view X-rays that can’t always distinguish marzipan from threat materials without further inspection.
Once flagged, airport protocol mandates a strict response that could include:
- Immediate manual inspection of the bag
- Delayed boarding for the entire flight
- Passenger removal from the plane for questioning
- Missed connections or rescheduled flights
In short, a sweet treat could lead to a travel nightmare.
Other Unexpected Food Items That Cause Trouble
While marzipan tops the list due to its density, it’s not the only food item that has tripped airport scanners. Security personnel across Europe and beyond have warned against packing the following:
- Large cheese blocks (similar density issues)
- Fudge and nougat
- Unlabeled food in foil
- Jars of sauces, pickles, or liquids over 100ml
- Partially eaten or bruised fruits, which can appear suspicious under scan
In 2024, London Heathrow flagged over 5,000 items in a single month due to food-related screening anomalies. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. has also advised passengers not to pack dense food items, recommending travelers instead place them in clear plastic bags and declare them during screening.
International Guidelines and Best Practices for Food in Transit
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in conjunction with airport authorities like daa, advises passengers to always check both airline and destination country rules when packing perishable or specialty food items.
Here are key takeaways:
- Avoid packing dense, block-like food items unless necessary.
- Label all food clearly and keep it in original packaging.
- Declare food at security checkpoints if unsure.
- Check your destination country’s import rules, especially for items like meats, dairy, and nut-based goods.
Websites like aviationreg.ie and dublinairport.com regularly update guidance for travelers during peak holiday seasons.
How to Avoid Getting Pulled Off a Flight
While being removed from a flight due to almond paste may sound extreme, it is not uncommon when scanners detect items that resemble explosives. To avoid unnecessary disruption:
- Leave marzipan, large cheeses, and fudge in your checked bag, but only if properly declared and labeled.
- Consider shipping food souvenirs instead of carrying them.
- Inform security if your bag contains specialty food, especially in large quantities.
- Use transparent containers or resealable bags for easier screening.
A Small Treat Can Cause a Big Disruption
With nearly 33 million passengers passing through Dublin Airport in 2024, according to daa statistics, any disruption—no matter how small—can ripple into broader schedule delays. The warning about marzipan is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness of how innocuous items can trigger serious aviation protocols.
“Security officers are trained to err on the side of caution,” said a daa spokesperson. “A block of almond paste can easily be mistaken for a high-risk material when scanned. It’s better to declare it, or avoid packing it altogether.”
Travel Smart, Fly Smooth
While many travelers focus on passports and liquids, food items are becoming unexpected disruptors in air travel. The marzipan warning serves as a timely reminder that what we pack—especially during peak travel seasons—can have consequences beyond our personal luggage.
So, if you’re flying out of Dublin Airport, or transiting through other global hubs, it might be best to leave the marzipan behind—or be prepared for extra scrutiny at security.
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