A major UK airport has warned passengers they may require 'extra time' for security screening if they're travelling with particular items. Heathrow Airport outlined the regulations for air travellers following an enquiry from a customer on social media.

Posing a question to Heathrow's team, the passenger said they were flying with a tin of ground coffee and a health supplement in powder form - two common items frequently packed in luggage. In their response, the airport confirmed that passengers can generally take these items in their cabin baggage.

However, it's recommended to place them in hold luggage where feasible. If not, passengers may need to undergo additional screening at security, and they should factor in 'extra time'.

Writing on X, the passenger said: "Heathrow Airport. Hi team, I will be flying to Sofia, Bulgaria in about two weeks time. Is it possible to bring a tin of ground coffee and magnesium supplement in a form of powder in my cabin bag? Please let me know."

The airport replied: "Food or powders should be packed into hold baggage where possible. Although these items are permitted in hand luggage (except some flights to the US), they can obstruct images on the x-ray machine, or may be mistaken for suspicious items – so putting them in the hold will help reduce the need for additional checks.

"Passengers who need to take these items on board should therefore allow extra time at security. For further information go to http://gov.uk."

Anyone with outstanding questions can find more information about hand luggage restrictions at UK airports on GOV.UK. The guidance says: "Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays."

Restrictions may apply to other items, such as liquids, lighters, frozen items, and sports equipment. The advice states: "Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage."

When passengers travel through Heathrow terminals, they no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage. Earlier this year, the airport announced that it had rolled out CT security scanners across all four terminals as part of a £1bn upgrade.

Heathrow Airport said the new technology allows passengers to move through checkpoints more quickly by providing even better images of cabin baggage, cutting preparation time and easing pressure during peak travel periods, reports the Mirror.

The change is estimated to save almost 16 million plastic bags per year. The airport added that Heathrow was crowned Europe’s most punctual hub airport last year, with over 97% of passengers waiting less than five minutes for security.