Kevin Bacon recalls unusual TSA search: 'I think it's my sweet potato'

Kevin Bacon's travel snack of choice? It may have thrown off the TSA.

The actor and musician, 61, chronicled a recent run-in with a Transportation Security Administration agent after something seemingly suspicious was found in his suitcase on "The Tonight Show" Tuesday.

"I was on my way to LA, and I knew I was going to be arriving in five hours, and I knew that in about 7-and-a-half hours I was going to be hungry," Bacon recalled. After sharing an Instagram photo of the food in question, he and Fallon took a while debating if it was a sweet potato or a yam, ultimately landing on the former.

"So I saw a nice sweet potato sitting there ready to go, and I just threw it in my suitcase. And, of course, TSA flagged it."

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In the July 5 Instagram post, Bacon thanked "the hardworking folks at #TSA for keeping us safe," noting he doesn't blame them for wanting to search his bag after seeing the unusual object show up on a scanner.

Food is allowed on flights, though officers encourage travelers to remove food and any other items that "can clutter bags and obstruct images on the X-ray machine." Keeping bags organized helps to keep busy security lines moving, per the TSA website,

"Fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed in carry-on and checked bags," TSA press secretary Jenny Burke told USA TODAY. "However, it is always up to the officer’s discretion – particularly if for some reason the sweet potato (or yam) alarmed."