Town have outlined why fans were prevented from entering Portman Road with burgers and hot dogs purchased from vendors outside the ground prior to Saturday’s match against Huddersfield.
Supporters on the TWTD forum and elsewhere on social media commented on what appeared to be a new club policy.
However, club media manager Steve Pearce said in a statement: "It’s not a new policy but it is one that the club have let lapse over recent times.
"It is 32 hours of work for our cleaning staff just to pick up litter around the stadium after a match and this is increasing.
"We have also noticed an increase in people bringing hot food into the ground so we will be asking supporters who purchase hot food and drink from outside the stadium to consume it before entering.
"This falls in line with other football clubs and other sports up and down the country. There are also food safety issues that we have to be mindful of.”