As millions of international visitors continue arriving in the United States for the World Cup, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has found itself delivering a warning that probably wasn’t at the top of anyone’s tournament predictions: don’t pack ranch dressing in your carry-on luggage.
With fans from around the world experiencing American culture firsthand, many are apparently developing a taste for one of the country’s most recognizable staples and trying to bring it home with them.
According to the TSA, travelers should avoid placing ranch dressing in carry-on bags, a reminder that even beloved American favorites still have to follow airport security rules. Apparently, discovering freedom, football, and ranch all in one trip can make people a little ambitious at the security checkpoint.
The surge of international visitors tied to the World Cup has turned everyday American products into unexpected souvenirs, with ranch dressing becoming one of the more unusual examples of cultural exchange.
Whether people came for the matches or ended up leaving with a new appreciation for American food traditions, it’s another reminder that some things visitors experience in the United States leave a lasting impression — and sometimes that impression comes in a bottle.
At least there’s one takeaway here: the World Cup may bring the world together through sports, but America still finds a way to export its classics.