It’s a bit of a hairy situation.
There are a lot of things everyone knows will get you stopped at airport security, from weaponry in your carry-on to controlled substances to water bottles.
Lately, however, there’s been a rumor floating around the internet regarding the illicit nature of a whole different kind of allegedly forbidden fruit — one that many can’t believe might pose any threat in midair.
Seriously, though — are we allowed to take coconuts on a plane, or will doing so result in a complimentary government-issue colonoscopy?
The seemingly cuckoo question has been hanging on the air since health influencer Dr. Paul Saladino filmed himself taking nearly a dozen of the tree fruits — packed inside his suitcase — through security.
“This is how I hydrate while traveling,” Saladino proudly posted to X, adding that he won’t drink from plastic bottles.
Turns out, Saladino is right in line with the law — with a few caveats.
In a statement to The Post, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Adminstration said:
“Coconuts and other solid food items are permitted in checked and carry-on bags, although fruit and vegetables from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may face restrictions.”
The exception is due to restrictions in place to prevent plant-invading pests.
“Passengers bringing any food items might want to give themselves extra time in case additional screening is required,” the spokesperson suggested.
And if you’re traveling further abroad, be aware that some flight safety administrations besides our own believe that what’s inside the coco can make a flight go loco — issuing a total ban.
There’s truth to that, according to the experts — Copra, the technical name for the white fleshy part of a coconut, is said to be an explosive risk, landing it on the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Register.
The tropical treat is listed by the IATA as a class 4 dangerous good, akin to sulphur or matches, according to The Independent — earning it a ban from many European carriers like Ryanair and Easyjet.
Specifically when dry, copra is a “flammable solid liable to spontaneous combustion” which can “emit flammable gases when in contact with water,” the outlet reported.
Also, “copra dust may be ignited by a single spark,” the IATA reports, and fat contents can lead to a “risk of self-heating.”
That could explain why some countries, like India, say a blanket no. At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, dried coconuts make up 9% of confiscated items, reports Conde Nast Traveler India.
A spokesperson told the outlet that the fleshy fruits contain “a high amount of oil that is highly flammable and can cause a fire if it encounters heat inside the aircraft.”
