I jsut read through the British Airways list of banned substances, both in checked and carry-on luggage, and included is cooking oil. Now, for years we've brought back olive oil from Provence on Air France and AA without trouble. Any idea why BA prohibits it?

Yes it says it loud and clear at
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...t/public/en_gb

under Banned Items

"Cooking Oils are also prohibited from carriage in checked or carry-on baggage."

As to why - asking this question here only invites wild speculations, besides - no matter who guesses and how, it helps you nothing, the rule is in place and if anyone can give you the answer it is BA - good luck in getting a definitive answer from them to satisfy your curiosity. If you do, please share, although it makes no difference to us travellers.

that's sad!!! I understand carry-on's due to the "liquid" ban but checked??

I am so glad I brought home some olive oil on my last trip to Italy!

the link DalaiLlama posted doesn't work....

"the link DalaiLlama posted doesn't work..."

Works in my browsers. But see it for yourself at www.ba.com then > Information > Baggage essentials > Banned Items (on the left)

you are right Dalai I got yours to work... sorry!

Interesting. I gather the scanners can distinguish between oil and other liquids which are not banned in checked luggage?

I have always thought cooking oil to be something that is used in the food, meaning something that is part of the finished dish like olive oil. But in one article that I read in a British magazine they were using the term cooking oil to be the fuel used for cooking, such as the liquid gasoline or kerosene.

Could that be the "cooking oil" that BA is referring to? Maybe another case of not speaking quite the same language.

Have you been away for 3 years?

I guess you would have to translate the meaning of "British English", which usually doesn't make much sense to American English speakers.

Good olive oil can, but most often is not, be used for cooking, at least not the best Spanish olive oil that you might decide to bring home with you. Cooking oil is available in most stores at home.

Michael, Yes I think scanners can distinguish between oil and other liquids. This has nothing to do with the "cooking oil" issue, but recently a scanner detected "oil" or "cream" in my carryon. I couldn't imagine what it was until the inspection person pulled out a nearly empty container of Nutella - "cream" -- which was confiscated.

Another time I had overlooked a small carton of juice but the scanner detected "liquid." So, I think "yes" to your question.

So, do I try to bring back a can of olive oil???

For what it's worth, I emailed BA and asked for an explanation of the term "cooking oil." If I get an answer I'll post it.

Jean, friends brought me back A TIN OF OLIVE OIL from Provence in their checked luggage.

Any idea why BA prohibits it?>>>>

Any idea of how to make napalm?

It's just occurred to me that in these 7 years of the War on Terror, I don't think I've heard anyone say "Well, there is a war on, you know". But maybe that was just a British thing.

Well you can't get powdered egg for love nor money....

At least BA has a sense of humour.

In the travel section of their website you will find the following advice for "Shopping trips in Madrid":

Madrid shopping: best buys
When you see the local cheeses, <b>olive oils</b> and wines in Madrid's food markets, you'll wish you'd brought an extra suitcase for your Madrid shopping trip.

Or some more of BA wisdom, now on &quot;Holidays in France&quot;:

Foodie holidays in France
If you're mad about food, a holiday in France means grazing each region for local flavours. Eat bouillabaisse (fish stew) in Marseille, choucroute (sauerkraut and pork) in Strasbourg and fresh mussels in Brittany. <b>Take home Provence olive oil</b>, Bordeaux wines and Normandy's creamy Camembert for a lingering taste of your holiday in France.

Yeah, take it home. But please use Eurostar

I think whoever posted about &quot;fuel&quot; for cooking has it right--not olive oil.

Is the answer simply that cooking oils are flammable liquids and can be ignited easily (think ethanol)? Admittedly the flash point of olive oil is higher than some other cooking oils.

Of course, why then are liquors (brandy) allowed?