Are you going on vacation and want to take your supplements with you? Then you are probably wondering if that is allowed on the plane. After all, you naturally don't want to just skip your daily omega-3, vitamin D, or other supplements for a week. Fortunately, in most cases, you don't have to worry. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Are you allowed to take supplements on the plane?
The short answer: yes , you may take supplements on the plane . In both your hand luggage and your checked baggage. Supplements fall under medicines and dietary supplements, and these are permitted while flying.
There are actually no special rules for capsules, tablets, and powders. You can simply take them with you in their original packaging. Do you want to put them in your hand luggage? Then it is a good idea to put them in a transparent bag so that security can easily check them.
Do you have liquid supplements? Then it gets a bit more complicated. For liquid supplements in your hand luggage, the 100ml rule applies. Each bottle may contain a maximum of 100 ml, and all bottles together must fit in a clear, resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. Do you have larger bottles? Then they must go in your checked baggage.
Disclaimer
Our information is intended as a general guideline. Rules may vary by airline and country. Always check the current rules of your airline (for example, KLM or Ryanair) and the customs authorities at your destination. Naturally, we don't want you to permanently lose your supplements!
Do supplements stay good on the go?
Supplements are usually quite sensitive to heat, light, and moisture. And during travel, they often come into contact with these. Just think of that hot car on the way to France or Spain. Or what about the airplane's luggage compartment (where it can get cold or hot), and don't forget that hot hotel room where the air conditioning isn't on yet.
Most supplements will survive a short vacation, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of supplement is very important. Probiotics, for example, are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. Omega-3 supplements can become rancid if they get too hot. And vitamin C can lose its effectiveness in excessive heat.
What should you look out for?
Most importantly: keep your supplements cool and dry. So, do not place them on your car's dashboard or next to the heater in your hotel room. A cool, dark place is best. A cooler can be helpful, provided you don't make it too cold.
For example, it is best to store Omega-3 supplements in their original dark packaging. Light and heat are the biggest enemies of omega-3 fatty acids. Once you have opened them, make sure the jar is tightly closed.
7 tips to keep your supplements in good condition on vacation
But what can you do yourself to keep your supplements in good condition while on vacation? There are a number of things you can do.
- Take only what you need: calculate how many days you will be away and bring a few extra supplements just in case. But don't pack your entire supply. That would be a waste if something goes wrong.
- Use the original packaging: leave your supplements in their original jar or blister pack. This prevents confusion and shows exactly what they are. Handy for customs and for yourself.
- Divide between hand luggage and checked luggage: put half in your hand luggage and half in your suitcase. Is any luggage lost? Then you still have supplements for a few days.
- Take a photo of the label: especially useful when traveling abroad. Do you have problems at customs? Then you can show exactly what is inside.
- Store them in a cool place: find the coolest spot in your hotel room. This is often the bathroom (but not in the shower, of course!) or a cupboard away from windows and heating.
- Check the expiration date: do not bring supplements that are about to expire. They can spoil faster due to heat and moisture.
If you are taking omega-3s in your hand luggage , choose capsules, as a bottle of liquid oil is not allowed. Given the risk of the bottle breaking, it is also not recommended to take a bottle in the aircraft's baggage compartment.
