Now you have me wondering.
I'm planning on making some candy for the sweet employees at Villa Mex. But, I don't want to make it for airport use.
Any thoughts?

I think that if it's not fruit or veg, and not fresh or cured homemade meats, and looks like candy or chocolates then why not? I've brought some our famous local chocolates to give away and there was no problem. But then again I never was stopped and had my stuff checked coming in. Something like home made fudge in a tupperware container might get snagged, but peanut brittle or hard candy shouldn't be a hassle. But you never know these days...

A few years ago, US Customs confiscated our commercially-prepared, hermetically-sealed microwaveable bags of cochinita pibil and refried beans with chorizo - "due to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico".

I interpret this as the border control person likely having just suffered a case of terminal flatulence due to improperly cooked beans, and so that day had an irrational hatred on for all things Mexican. Definitely an abuse of authority. All you can do is grit your teeth, close your eyes, & lay back and think of Los Gatas Beach and that first beer of the day.

I think the usual scenario is that customs lets you pack in commercially prepared foods that are hermetically sealed.
Home made stuff, not so much. Expect exceptions either way. Arriving back in Canada from Europe I was hassled once for bringing in what the border people thought was an exceptional amount of fresh cheese (maybe 10 lbs, I don't remember exactly) but they let it go.

A few years ago, US Customs confiscated our commercially-prepared, hermetically-sealed microwaveable bags of cochinita pibil and refried beans with chorizo - "due to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico".

.... She invited all to participate and we had a great old time. I had quite the buzz from the slivovitz and my wife was not amused when she picked me up.

Another great story Mr. Frostbyte!!
I can understand customs not letting in the home made cheese and sausages, but the liquor? Perhaps because it was home made too.Though usually the concern is about flying, not landing. The other back story is that you had a party with booze in the Anchorage airport and presumably not in a licensed premises either! That slivovits can get pretty nasty all right! I've had some home made stuff that was well overproof and completely comparable to paint remover.

We will be flying Alaska Air through LA to Z. Does anyone know if we are allowed to bring wooden box of vacuumed packed smoked salmon into Z? Noticed last time at the mexican customs there was a notice that said no food allowed. Can someone please comment.

I brought in 2 packs of smoked salmon and a pack of smoked halibut along with my own homemade Tequila Lime Gravlax. No problem.

Maybe customs should look at a coin flip instead, heads free to go, tails please place your luggage on the table, makes about as much sense!!

No thank you!
That would give you a 50% chance of getting stopped.
The current system goes red far less frequently.

Hope for Green light.