A UK airport has declared a “Marmite amnesty” today, after the popular savoury spread was found to be the number one branded food item confiscated from passengers’ hand luggage.



In an unusual move, London City airport is offering travellers the chance to swap any jars of Marmite exceeding the permitted 100ml size for a travel-friendly 70g miniature.



The amnesty is in force until late on Monday (31 July), but could be repeated if deemed successful.

The airport said Marmite is the most regularly seized branded food product at its security gates, and in the top 10 overall for confiscated items. The most commonly confiscated item is snow globes, followed by jams and spreads and toiletries.

It is using the promotion to highlight what it says will be its busiest day of the year so far, as holidaymakers stuff their cabin bags with food and drink that they cannot bear to be without while away.

The study revealed that about one in eight people in the UK have had to give up an item they had packed in their hand luggage because it didn’t meet aviation or immigration rules.

The new-style £1 jar can be bought from the Co-op, Poundworld, Poundland, Poundstretcher, Boots airport stores and Caledonian Foods across the UK. The minuscule jar is also small enough to carry in a lunchbox, picnic hamper and handbag.

“With 4.5 million passengers travelling through our doors each year, we see all kinds of weird and wonderful restricted items, including Marmite,” said Melanie Burnley, director of customer experience at London City airport. “The Marmite swap is a temporary but popular addition which means that whether you love it or hate it, you’ll still be able to get your Marmite fix when travelling from this airport. For any other liquid or gel items above 100ml, it’s best to pack them safely in the hold luggage.”

The confiscated jars and their contents are not wasted. They are being donated by London City airport to local charity Community Food Enterprise, for distribution to smaller charities in local communities.

Most commonly confiscated items