TSA Warns World Cup Travelers to Leave 3.4-Ounce-Plus Ranch Dressing Out of Bags

Q: Can bread and beer made with a 5,300-year-old iceman's microbes be safely consumed by the public?

Not yet. The reporting shows scientists were able to bake a “very good” sourdough bread using yeast isolated from microbes associated with Ötzi the Iceman, and they hope to try brewing beer, but there is no evidence in the available coverage that these products have been cleared as safe for public consumption. The key issue is that Ötzi’s remains contain a mixed microbial community, not a clean ancient starter culture. Researchers found ancient and cold-adapted yeasts, but also modern microorganisms introduced over decades of conservation. The study itself emphasizes the difficulty of separating original microbes from later contamination. That matters for food safety. Fermentation microbes used in bread and beer are often safe, but safety depends on identifying the exact strains, confirming they are non-pathogenic, and testing them under food-production standards. The coverage also notes that Ötzi’s remains contain other microbes, including Helicobacter pylori, underscoring why careful screening is essential. So far, the scientific achievement is proof of concept, not a public-health endorsement. Until researchers isolate specific strains, rule out contaminants, and any relevant food-safety authorities assess them, bread or beer made from Ötzi-linked microbes should be viewed as an experimental research product rather than something ready for consumers.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 23

TSA told World Cup travelers not to pack ranch dressing in carry-ons if containers exceed 3.4 ounces, after visitors developed an unexpected appetite for the American condiment.
The warning targets a basic liquid-rule issue: salad dressing counts as a liquid, so larger bottles must go in checked baggage rather than cabin bags.
The advisory reflects a quirky travel wrinkle tied to the tournament, with some Americans surprised ranch remains hard to find in parts of Europe.
The episode underscores how major sporting events can create unusual airport screening problems as fans try to bring home local or novelty food items.