I just thought I'd give you all the denouement here. The deadly colloid in question did indeed survive it's trip home, being unmolested on both UA 903(MUC->IAD) and UA 871(IAD->SFO). I carried it on w/ me in an accessory pack attached to my hardshell backpack. I'm convinced it made it home safely this way because it was not in the main compartment of my pack and did not attract X-ray attention in the accessory pack. This despite the fact that it was both yummy and gift-wrapped.

As an added bonus, I can also confirm that everything in my checked bag survived as well (4-piece Illy espresso set, 2 bottles of wine, WAY too much chocolate and Pocket Coffee as well as a Revell-Europe issued 2707 anniversary model).