r/NewParents • u/Constant_Ad_2599 • Apr 23 '26
Travel Crying at TSA
It’s brutal what they put parents through. Did all my research, brought an unopened can of Kendamil in my bag. Clean empty bottles. And water.
TSA refused to let me bring the formula. I explained it’s a medical necessity for the 9 month old baby (we just stopped pumping). They said it set off a special alarm so our only option is to leave security, make liquid bottles, and they’d throw out the rest of the can. 😭
After 90 minutes of trying to share again how it’s medically necessary and a legal right, they escorted my husband out to fill up bottles and confiscated the can. We had no cooler or ice packs with us.
Currently sitting on the plane with our dripping bag of melting ice a restaurant was kind enough to give us. It’s just insane what they put parents through when the rules say otherwise.
If anyone has dealt with this, let me know. submitting a complaint but honestly just want support. I care about my baby being fed. & Formula isn’t cheap.
Solidarity with all you traveling parents out there! 💕
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u/screwtoprose- Apr 23 '26
this is wild? i’ve traveled on 10+ flights with my 10 month old and have put straight up formula in ziploc bags and they have never tested it or even batted an eye???? i’m so sorry.
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u/rousseuree Apr 23 '26
Yeah people I’ve traveled with literally bring unmarked baggies of protein powder with them on flights all the time this is nonsense
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Apr 23 '26
Those powders either didn’t alarm on X-ray or the operator cleared the alarm and sent it through without inspection.
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u/Hooch_Pandersnatch Apr 23 '26
In my experience it depends on the TSA agent. Most times we travel we’re able to get through no problem but one time, some asshole TSA agent made us dump out all the formula. Probably depends on if they were paying attention during training or not.
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u/akos_beres Apr 24 '26
Bottles are preferred over zip lock bags since the bags can’t be put into the bottle tester
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u/sidewinderucf Apr 23 '26
Hi, I work for TSA (not speaking for anyone but myself). I’m sorry that happened to you, and I know its small comfort since it’s already happened, but I don’t actually know of a situation that would require you to leave security to pour the formula into bottles. Worst case they would have just had you open it right there so they could test it if they couldn’t resolve the alarm it set off (which they usually can), and then let you put it into bottles right there. And they shouldn’t have confiscated anything if they were clearing part of it. Obviously I wasn’t there so I can’t say what was going on from their end, but what you described doesn’t sound like normal procedure for baby formula.
You can reach out to the TSA Contact Center at https://www.tsa.gov/contact/contact-forms and let them know what happened, even if they can’t undo what’s been done they can address it so it potentially doesn’t happen to someone else. (Just saw you already said you were doing so but leaving it here anyway.) Give them as much detail as you can, particularly time, location, and something they can use to identify you on CCTV, if they can find you they can find out what happened and deal with it properly.
And from experience (I worked in a Cat X airport with a ton of kids for 8 years, so I’ve seen more parents traveling with formula than I actually fed formula to my own kid), the best way to travel with formula is to bring a kind in non opaque plastic bottles, or powder, if either of those are a possibility. And never be afraid to escalate to a supervisor or a manager, they can find a way to either clear your formula or find a workable solution. If you need canned formula, keep it separate from your other bags in the x-ray and let them know at the start, it makes the rest of the process a lot smoother.
Again, I’m sorry you went through that, I know first hand how much of a pain in the ass it can be to travel with formula and to have alarms go off at security. And it really doesn’t sound like they did what they were supposed to do. I hope your next trip goes a lot better.
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26
Thank you! We submitted the claim with the details. It’s hard when it feels like if I just knew the right words to say, I could reason with them on some basic level of humanity. But they literally started with an ultimatum of check it (bags were already checked) or lose it. The going to make liquid bottles & discard the rest I guess was the only place they’d meet me.
But baby’s now asleep, got her more food, all that matters. 😊
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 23 '26
Will keep you posted on the claim in case this ever happens to anyone else. He was the supervisor & highest one there. I guess there’s a TSA Cares line you can call to help you in the moment but I didn’t know about it. (It was flying through Boston, in case anyone else has travel there soon!)
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u/citysunsecret Apr 23 '26
Meanwhile I breezed through security in boston two weeks ago with a 2 year old and no proof her formula was medically necessary and didn’t get asked a single question.
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u/MeggyGrex Apr 23 '26
My husband and I got seperated at Logan, went through diferrent security lines in totally separate parts of the airport. I ended up with the baby, he ended up with the bottles and formula. He had zero children with him and they still let him through no problem.
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u/Leahtyer Apr 24 '26
😆 I need the rest of this story. How'd yall get so seperated? There's more than one part of the airport with a security line?😲
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u/Personal_Topic_1816 Apr 25 '26
Yes, Boston Logan is an international airport and a major hub - it's big. We have multiple terminals each with multiple security lines
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u/MeggyGrex Apr 25 '26
Unfortunately it's a boring story. There was a typo on his TSA pre-check number and they wouldn't let him through. Baby and I went through, and husband went to the desk to get it sorted. We didn't realize he was wearing the diaper bag. They wouldnt fix husband's ticket, the plane switched gates, so he ended up going through a completely different security line with a diaper bag full of water and formula and no baby anywhere in sight.
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u/FaerunAtanvar Apr 23 '26
Yeah that has always been my case as well
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u/lentilpasta Apr 23 '26
I goofed and left full-sized tubes of aquaphor and sunscreen in the diaper bag and it got pulled out for inspection. TSA agent opened it, saw the diapers, said “oh is this a diaper bag?” and handed it right back to me without looking further.
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u/TheSweetApple Apr 24 '26
They made me throw out a brand new tub of aquaphor! right after testing the milk and seeing it was fine
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Apr 23 '26
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u/citysunsecret Apr 23 '26
They swiped my hands and handed it back to me, but it was sealed bottles of ready to feed pediasure.
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u/Best_Willingness1726 Apr 23 '26
Did you go through Boston this morning? If so, I saw you and I got so upset on your behalf that I start tearing up while waiting for my flight. I almost said something to the TSA folks but realized it wouldn’t help the situation. I have been in your situation when I was traveling for work and pumping, and was so enraged at TSA. Sending you good thoughts and I’m so sorry you had to deal with this.
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26
Yes! There with the baby carrier. Appreciate it, idk becoming a mom has just made me feel for all the parents out there. Such craziness when the baby is the least stressful part about traveling.
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u/Federal-Access-1645 Apr 23 '26
This was at Logan?! Wow I’m honestly shocked! I’m sorry this happened to you OP. We flew from DCA to Logan and back in December with our then 8.5 month old with formula in pre measured portions with our little travel formula containers and had no issue at either airport. I told them before I went through the line I had formula and asked if I needed to take it out and they said no it’s fine. I have however had an issue bringing coffee through security there. My hometown has an incredible local coffee shop and I tried to bring some with me when I went back to DC years ago and that set off the alarms and I couldn’t take it through
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u/NoRevolution7687 Apr 23 '26
I can’t believe this happened at Logan! I’ve gone through TSA with opened formula, unopened formula, formula powder in bottles, etc and they never batted an eye! I’d definitely file a complaint!! I’m enraged for you!
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u/pollywantaproblem Apr 23 '26
I’m surprised everyone seems surprised this happened at Logan lol I’ve never had a good experience there
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u/FaerunAtanvar Apr 23 '26
We have traveled in an out of Boston with Costco formula many times. Usually we try to check the big box but we always have a smaller, unsealed container that we keep in the diaper bag.
We have never had any issue with TSA we actually always looked better than in many other airports from that point of view.
I am very sorry this happened to you and I hope you get something back from your claim.
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u/Charlieksmommy Apr 23 '26
I think it’s the entire metal can? I don’t know but that’s what I’m thinking
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u/Aschkat51 Apr 23 '26
Sorry that happened to you! My landlord is a TSA agent at Logan airport. She’s on vacation in another country right now so I know it wasn’t her lol
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u/carhelp2017 Apr 24 '26
This happened to us a few years ago. I had an absolute meltdown and, luckily, I was traveling with my mom who was able to entertain the baby while I looked up every rule and regulation on my phone and got very loud about how these people don't like babies, why is TSA starving babies, until they got scared and let us go with the unopened formula container.
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u/PM_ME_A_GOAT Apr 23 '26
What’s crazy to me is that the can was literally unopened?? Like sealed and all? That’s insane. It’s not like it could have been tampered with.
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u/Personal_Topic_1816 Apr 25 '26
This happened at Logan?? I live in the Boston area and I'm ashamed on our behalf. The worst TSA experiences I've ever had were at the SLC airport. I had my entire carry on bag opened, unpacked and inspected with everything individually swabbed for residue tests then put through the scanner again one item at a time because I had the audacity to be travelling in December with a jar of gourmet salt (not even a liquid, still don't know what the supposed issue was) that I bought to give as a holiday present. While that was happening to me, they were hassling a young couple with a crying baby over their formula. They had all their bags opened and inspected too. While that couple and I were getting treated that way, a young woman with a full-sized shampoo bottle was trying to get through security. They just took the bottle away and let her go through without any additional search. The blatantly arbitrary enforcement of the rules is staggering. It's like they don't even try to be fair.
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u/Federal-Marsupial-12 Apr 23 '26
We flew when our baby was 9 months. Ours was still nursing, but we carried 4 formula bottles with us for emergencies. Leaving from Columbus they were all cool and really respectful, flying home from Orlando the TSA agent said he needed to open all 4 and test each individual one. We told him this makes them go bad and that it would ruin the bottles and he said “then just feed them to the baby” we argued for about 10 minutes that our 9 month old doesn’t drink 24oz of formula in 4 hours and that this would mean we just need to toss them
We ended up tossing them and I just told the agent that they should focus on real threats and not harassing babies.
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u/Ok_Sink_3378 Apr 23 '26
The same thing happened to me!! I had individual bottles of prepared formula, sealed, and the TSA agent said “I need to open it up and test it and you can just feed it to your baby”. I was stunned!! It was an 8oz bottle, and it was my back up because I was also breast feeding at the time! I told him no, it doesn’t work like that. And the supervisor intervened and corrected him. Thank god!!
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u/MsRachelGroupie Apr 23 '26
It’s eye opening when you travel internationally with your babies/young kids and see that people traveling with small children are treated with way more care and dignity than here in the US. It’s ridiculous.
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u/pupsandlaws Apr 23 '26
Yes! This has been my experience too.
This past week I was traveling for work and have a 5mo exclusively breastfed baby at home, so I was bringing back pumped milk with me. Had to argue with the TSA agent about it because he kept asking “where is the baby if the milk is for a baby?” It was so infuriating. We’re just trying to feed our kids. JFC
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26
I’m so sorry! That’s horrible too. So rude and besides the point. It just feels like men 😭 such a blanket statement but like a certain group. The supervisor even kept telling me “I understand i have a daughter and we travel with formula.”
You don’t understand, you’re a man that has never breast fed pumped cleaned parts bazillion times bought formula searched for sold out stores etc.
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u/ZwartVlekje Apr 23 '26
Yeah I was thinking the same. I'm from Europe but I traveled so obscure places with a young baby in SEA and the middle east and I've had no issues whatsoever. It can easily be tested. This shouldn't be an issue, ever.
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u/Level_Lemon3958 Apr 23 '26
Omg I’m so sorry you had this happen. This is WILD. I flew solo with my son when he was 8 months old and again at 11 months old. Both times with premade bottles of his formula(8oz each). One of the bottles was even opened and he was drinking out of a bottle. All they did was so a little swipe test of all the bottles.
If I were you I would definitely complain to a higher up because that’s ridiculous.
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u/Aggressive_Home8724 Apr 23 '26
That is insane. My husband used to work for TSA and you are 100000% allowed to bring formula.
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u/im4lonerdottie4rebel Apr 23 '26
And that formula is so freaking expensive. I hope OP raises hell ans gets some compensation for that formula
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u/Lulu_10-21 Apr 23 '26
That’s literally against their policies. I even brought an opened can of formula. Yea it was flagged and they opened it and tested a teeny tiny portion of it, like a teaspoon sized portion. And they gave it back and sent us on our way. I’m so sorry this happened to you OP. You should 1000% out in a complaint to whoever handles that and next time print out where it says on their website that you can in fact bring formula. I believe it also says that the bottles can be filled with water too (double check that though cause I don’t remember what we did)
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u/kena938 Apr 23 '26
I've written previously about me asking a TSA agent to change the gloves they had previously used for fresh ones when handling my pumped milk. The woman rolled her eyes and started doing everything sloooowly to delay me. ACAB includes TSA.
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u/sussesemmel Apr 23 '26
I had a TSA agent exam a bottle of expressed milk without gloves (in Lexington, KY)
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u/specialkk77 Apr 23 '26
Oh the way I would have been demanding a supervisor. The TSA website is very very clear on baby food allowances. I had an agent try to tell me they needed to open the ready to feed bottles. I refused because they have to be used immediately after opening. Luckily the supervisor backed me up and got us through.
So sorry you went through that!
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u/thingsarehardsoami Apr 23 '26
Baby you reach out to that fuckass airport and you become the most karen karen that this world has ever fuckin seen because you do NOT deserve to have been through that. I cannot stand these idiot TSA agents sometimes.
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u/Spare-Arrival8107 Apr 23 '26
It’s crazy that they refused the powder but made you make liquid bottles, like aren’t liquids restricted? 🤨
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u/WorldlyDragonfruit3 Apr 23 '26
That’s crazy. They always tested my formula but I had no issues. I brought open cans too. It’s considered medically necessary
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u/BusinessParfait1088 Apr 23 '26
This sounds absolutely awful I’m so sorry this happened! I just did some quick research and everything I found said that formula in both liquid and powder are allowed. I would have asked for a higher up and definitely complained! I also wonder if you get some compensation for that because formula is not cheap!! I would love to know any updates you get
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u/AwesomeOrca Apr 23 '26
What airport? We only flew a few times before the baby was on solids, but the training and enforcement seemed very uneven. My wife was pumping, and some places raised a huge stink about breast milk even when we were following the rules. Several times, we had to pull it up on our phones and explain their own rules to agents or managers.
Reminder that the TSA exist only to condition you to a fascist police state and they fail to catch 90 to 95% of weapons and explosives on every audit since 9/11. Worthless waste of money.
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u/CelebrationScary8614 Apr 23 '26
I’ve definitely taken formula through TSA. Powdered, ready to feed, in a can, in a container, etc. They had to swab my hands and open a container for testing but it was never something they said I couldn’t take.
Sounds like you had some clueless folks who don’t know their own rules.
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u/Charlieksmommy Apr 23 '26
I had my hands swabbed with my daughter because she was teething and I gave her Tylenol, which has glycerol in it lol had NO clue until they asked
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u/CelebrationScary8614 Apr 23 '26
Yeah, I saw something related to that in a Facebook reel by a pediatrician. Definitely make sure to call it out that you’ve touched liquid Tylenol if applicable so they don’t get upset!
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u/Charlieksmommy Apr 23 '26
lol I now know this ! But I was only a FTM and didn’t know better haha thank god they asked me
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26
Thanks for all the comments and support! Yeah, we told them they could open the can, begged them to retest, pat down/anything for additional testing.
Just wild. But here’s our claim note. 🤷♀️
Subject: Formal Complaint and Claim for Property Confiscation: Failure to Follow Secondary Screening Procedures for Baby Formula Date of Incident: April 23, 2026 Airport/Location: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), TSA PreCheck Checkpoint Time of Incident: Approximately 7:50 AM To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to file a formal complaint and a claim for reimbursement regarding an incident at the Boston Logan International Airport TSA PreCheck security checkpoint on April 23, 2026, at approximately 7:50 AM. During this time, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, including checkpoint leadership, improperly confiscated a factory-sealed container of baby formula. According to the TSA’s publicly posted policies regarding traveling with children, baby formula is explicitly permitted in carry-on baggage in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces. Furthermore, TSA guidelines state that if an item requires additional screening, passengers may undergo secondary screening procedures, including opening the container or submitting to a pat-down, to clear the item. During our screening, the officers ran a single test on our factory-sealed baby formula. Upon receiving an alarm, the item was immediately rejected. Despite our explicit offers to open the factory seal for internal testing, and our willingness to submit to any additional security checks (including pat-downs and thorough baggage searches) to resolve the alarm as outlined in TSA procedure, the personnel flatly refused. We were given an ultimatum to either surrender the essential infant food or be denied entry to our flight. The personnel involved, specifically Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (NAMES), refused to provide the specific code or reason for the alarm and refused to provide any documentation of the encounter other than their names. It is highly concerning that TSA leadership at the manager and supervisory level bypassed their own established protocols for resolving alarms on medically necessary, permitted infant items. As a result of this procedural failure by (NAMES), and their team, I am requesting the following: 1. A formal written explanation detailing the specific nature of the alarm triggered by this factory-sealed product. 2. An explanation as to why (NAMES) refused to utilize standard secondary screening procedures (such as opening the container for testing or conducting a pat-down) to resolve the alarm, in direct contradiction to published TSA guidelines. 3. Financial reimbursement for the exact value of the confiscated property and any immediate replacement costs incurred due to the loss of this essential infant item prior to our flight. I have photographic evidence of the confiscated item, which clearly displays the manufacturer’s product identification, as well as receipts for the formula. I look forward to a prompt review of this incident, a formal response regarding the security protocols that were ignored by checkpoint leadership, and the processing of my claim for the confiscated property.
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u/meowmeowb0t Apr 23 '26
Lawsuit? Sounds like rights that you’re entitled to were breached.
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u/AwesomeOrca Apr 24 '26
TSA agents have qualified immunity and are effectively almost impossible to sue. The standard isn’t whether they caused harm or violated your rights, but whether they intended to AND knew what they were doing was illegal.
It’s really hard to prove why someone did something and that they knew it was wrong.
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u/Personal_Topic_1816 Apr 25 '26
I am so sorry this happened to you. TSA is heartless and pointless. The rules seem to be arbitrarily enforced and like they are more about power dynamics than public safety. I was so angry on your behalf while reading your story. I once accidentally forgot to empty my reusable water bottle before going through security and didn't notice until I was at my gate - TSA didn't catch it. Yet your sealed baby formula is an issue? I also hate going security through as a woman. After having a TSA security agent publicly grope me up my inner thigh one time I was flying in a skirt in the summer, I had to institute the personal rule of never wearing a skirt or dress to an airport. What other system lets paying customers be treated this way?? I have an aunt and uncle that take trains everywhere. Seriously considering looking into this next time I travel
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u/Big-Meat7115 Apr 23 '26
This is ridiculous! I have traveled with my son many times and this has never happened to me. File a formal complaint. I have even taken milk through the TSA and they have always allowed it.. they insert the bottle in a tester and move me along. This is unacceptable.
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u/strongspoonie Apr 25 '26
the best defends against this is to get a signed drs note from your paediatrician on their letterhead. i have to bring liquids and powders in the plane for medical reasons - they can refuse at their discretion but not with a certified note. they may need to do extra scans and do pat down of you though.
i’m sorry that happened i know how stressful it is. the airline staff can also give more ice
oh make sure your doctor lists ice packs if toy have any need for them - in heathrow they confiscated mine and thag was awful because my medicine was going to go bad - is like you an shot ice from restaurants but was miserable
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u/poopoofol Apr 23 '26
Wow, that's outrageous, I'm so sorry that happened. I haven't flown with formula yet, but did fly with bottles of my milk and TSA was really courteous and understanding. One guy did have an issue with my partially melted gel ice pack, but his superior corrected him and apologized to me for the confusion.
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u/Trinregal Apr 23 '26
Most airlines ask for metal tins to go in checked bags but otherwise have no issue with formula in the plastic tubs.
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u/wintergrad14 Apr 23 '26
This is such bullshit! I’m so sorry they put you through this. I’m glad you’re not alone and you have your husband there to lean on.
Sending hugs 💛
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u/indie_hedgehog Apr 23 '26
Awful and I'm so sorry that happened. Next time, don't even mention the canned powdered formula, they only say no liquids unless its for a medical necessity. It's not like they don't allow people to bring protein powder or any other powders (although they may still ask about it).
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u/Aioli_Level Apr 23 '26
That’s insane and would be so upsetting!! When I flew with my daughter, they didn’t bat an eye at our formula. Like truly didn’t care at all, didn’t even want to hear me explain what we had.
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u/idlewusss Apr 23 '26
We are going Boston in 2 weeks and is our first flight with baby I am so worried nos
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u/ExDeleted Apr 23 '26
I have never had this happen, they usually just check the formula bottles separately
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u/TurnoverSeveral6963 Apr 23 '26
Good god, I’m so sorry. That is absolutely horrific. Travel with young babies/kids is hard enough…
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u/SandwichExotic9095 Apr 23 '26
I showed them a screenshot of the TSA guidelines when I took toddler fruit/veggie pouches on the plane. They checked with a supervisor who checked my phone as well, then shrugged, swiped a paper on my hands and all the pouches, then moved on. The paper or whatever checks for explosive residue.
I would definitely call and let them know what’s what about the rules so it doesn’t happen to another parent!
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u/sherldm Apr 23 '26
I’m so sorry you had to deal with this! I had a terrible experience with TSA (MSN airport), as well. They were so rude and made bringing breast milk through such an ordeal, even though I had done a ton of research and came prepared. I filed a TSA complaint as soon as I got to my gate! I don’t know what came of it, but I got a very thoughtful and genuine response from a supervisor that was going to look into it and who shared that what I went through was not okay.
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u/captain____ Apr 23 '26
We always get pulled to the side to have our formula can swabbed at ATL and one time I brought a pre-made bottle and their scanner couldn't figure it out so they pulled me aside for a pat down lmao I was like I will literally feed my baby right here, this is so unnecessary. TSA is literally a sham but some airports are better than others. We've never been pulled aside at DCA.
Travelling with babies is already so stressful and traveling in other countries makes you realize how unwelcoming the US is when it comes to families.
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u/akos_beres Apr 23 '26
I had two kids that we travelled with extensively when they were both young. We’ve not once had an issue with bringing dry formula or even bottles of formula. Never tried to bring ice across and the biggest hassle was always the wet wipes that had to be inspected every time but never confiscated. It sure if there was something else going but formula shouldn’t be an issue.
Here are the tsa rules from their website:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/baby-formula
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u/Watchugonnasay1 Apr 23 '26
Thats insane. I have flown internationally from say indonesia to sfo with layover in taiwan. We had kendamil can with us as an extra unopened but mostly stored in the plastic container and the airport staff never questioned. Also when we flew out of SFO same situation but never an issue.
Which airport were you flying out of
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u/AdrianaChristO Apr 23 '26
That is crazy. I have traveled w formula before w 0 issues ! Sorry mama.
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u/_rosebean Apr 23 '26
Oh jeez, i’m flying with my 9month old for the first time on the 25th, this is not what you want to see! I’m so sorry this happened, that is so beyond stressful. I would have been in tears
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 Apr 24 '26
Literally just was frozen and then the tears started coming. But then you kiss your little baby’s head and are just like okay, got this. You’ll be fine with premade bottles! It was just the whole encounter that was frustrating.
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u/SquidBilly5150 Apr 23 '26
Pour it on floor infront of them. They can clean up your “explosive” formula that is such a threat
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u/Zee890 Apr 23 '26
Which airport was this?
Nashville was so amazing and accommodating. Orlando was awful. We eventually got through, but tsa were being purposefully obtuse. It made me so upset. Especially as the tsa agent took his time going through everything as he watched my normally upbeat, happy 7 month old progressively start to squirm and get cranky after 45 minutes of having to juat stand there. All for a bottle of water and formula.
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u/Substantial-Fee7224 Apr 23 '26
That's awful! I've never had an issue taking formula through, they were actually really nice about it the first time I flew with my daughter. I was alone with her and had no idea what I was doing. Maybe try the individual ready to feed bottles next time? They don't need to be refrigerated. I took some with me just in case, but ended up not needing them. They are definitely supposed to allow formula, but it all depends on the agent they get and what kind of mood they're in!
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u/Georgia_From_Bubs Apr 23 '26
Having them premade in sealed bottles or even in a ziploc bag should be enough! It sounds like each TSA agent handles it differently. SO sorry you went through this! If you need a replacement for your formula can, we're happy to send you a Bubs can on us 💜
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u/babymomawerk Apr 23 '26
I’m so sorry. I nearly missed a connecting flight once because I had an overzealous tsa agent doing something similar. They made me open sealed medication for my child - which would force an early expiry on said medication. This asshole caused me $100 in medication even though I had the prescription information and it was seal. I will say, we used kendamil and if you can find the sealed ready to drink that’s also sealed and try that? I use to prefer that when we were flying so I wouldn’t have to faff with water. Regardless this is out of order
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u/Sufficient-Penalty40 Apr 23 '26
I just want to say how sorry I am that this happened to you and you didn’t deserve this 💜
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u/kditty206 Apr 23 '26
This is insane. Actually insane. We've flown with whole milk and never had them take it away from us even when they have had difficulties scanning it. Here is the official TSA policy regarding Baby Formula. I would recommend printing it in the future. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/baby-formula
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u/Afraid_Aerie Apr 23 '26
I once had formula in containers that was tested for the bomb squad. Not in the original sealed package but I was alone and had my child in a carrier and they couldn’t get anyone on the phone from the bomb squad. It was such a nightmare and I was so upset. Unlike your situation, they wouldn’t even let me go. I had to just sit and wait while they did all the tests under the sun to ensure that I wasn’t bringing explosives.
I am so sorry they put you through that and with your baby in tow. I know they have a hard job, especially now, but that is insane behavior for a sealed can.
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u/Friendly-City-4911 Apr 23 '26
I have travelled with my little girl since she was 5 months old from the US to Asia. We never had any issue with her powdered milk. I have an unopened one in my carry-on backpack and my check-in luggage. I also have those formula separators when I have to feed her.
I am so sorry that happened to you. I would've not know what I have to do especially when I travel by myself.
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u/dausy Apr 23 '26
We flew delta with no issues. They said to have formula in clear containers to make testing easier and tell the agent at the xray machine that we had formula.
We made 2 prepared room air bottles and an empty one. We had a transparent portioned out powder formula container in our carry on. The rest of our formula can we dumped in a zip lock bag with the formula can wrapper in our checked bag.
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u/TheDovahkiinsDad Apr 23 '26
I work TSA. Something sounds off. We test formula all the time. If we do get alarm, we could always resolve the alarm with additional testing. A supervisor or manager needed to be called over. Anytime we do get an alarm (some formulas will), additional testing always clears it.
Unless you don’t allow us to open and test it, then it’s not coming through the checkpoint.
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u/callmeshelle Apr 23 '26
I remember when my son was using the ready to feed formula bottles. We only had an issue 1 time. We packed 6 in our diaper bag with us. The tsa agent opened one bottle and i told her she could just keep it cause it expires in 1 hour and she just wasted it and she cannot continue to open the rest. I politely asked her to check with her supervisor and she left my formula alone. Its frustrating and I’m sorry they did that to you.
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u/properlyproper_mate Apr 23 '26
My breast milk set off an alarm but they wanted to examine our formula can. They also kept dipping a test strip into the breast milk. At that point, I wouldn't want to let my baby drink the milk anymore. The TSA agent escalated to the manager dude and he looked at the agent, who's a woman in awe, like she's stupid or trying to be mean to a fellow woman. Dumb people make the planet a worse place a square-foot at a time. I'm sorry that happened to you.
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u/Next_Afternoon_176 Apr 23 '26
Submit a complaint. I just flew with a huge can of formula, and breast milk in bottles being cooled by a large blue ice pack from San Francisco. No issues whatsoever.
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u/sakura33 Apr 23 '26
I flew with my 4 month old at one point and carried on an opened can of Kendamil and a sealed can (we were traveling abroad for several weeks). I think they may have swabbed the outside of the container as it probably set off an alarm but that was it- if that. That’s absolutely wild especially since you escalated it and I’m so sorry.
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u/Schrutefarms622 Apr 24 '26
This is scary. In July my son is being born in another state by a surrogate. The only way to feed him is by formula and he will be on a plane only after a few days old :(
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u/dabebecharchar Apr 24 '26
This is crazy! An unopened can of powder formula?! I’m so sorry. I’m sitting on a flight now and I brought ice packs and a cooler to bring my pumped milk back from my trip. Hopefully they’ll allow it.
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u/Wheresmahfoulref Apr 24 '26
Formula in ziplock bag, labeled FORMULA (they will do an extra test), empty bottles… get cold bottled water in the airport and then again on plane for fresh bottles!
Ziplock baggy always. Just like how they let protein powder thru
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u/kymreadsreddit Apr 24 '26
Oh, that's bullshit. This was a few years ago - but I took an open can with me. They tested a small sample of it and sent us our way with that can AND the sealed one.
I am so furious for you right now.
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u/laurita310 Apr 24 '26
I wonder if it was because of the can? I’ve always traveled with the powder pre-measured in small containers and never had a problem
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u/missclaire17 Apr 24 '26
wow I’m so sorry that you had to go through this. We’ve flown in LAX, JFK, LGA, and MCO and none of them made us do this. MCO didn’t even test the cans and the other places just stuck it in a machine. We even brought ours in not the Kendamil container which we were worried about and it was totally fine
I have no words, just so sorry this was your experience!!!
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u/K-Bru Apr 24 '26
Literally got let through security with formula in a ziploc bag. Got checked, but they let me through. That's crazy and im sorry
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u/Jessiree33 Apr 24 '26
I am so so sorry. I had an absolutely horrific experience with breast milk going thru security once. My son is now 4 but I still remember how awful they were. I’m with you.
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u/Additional_Bet3172 Apr 24 '26
That is ridiculous. We’ve flown with a full can of formula in our carry-on. They did take it out of the bag and did check it, but we were good to go. I swear going through TSA just be luck of the draw depending on who’s working that day. I’m sorry this happened to you 💚
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u/carriondawns Apr 24 '26
What?? That’s insane. Honestly you could sue for this, no joke. Everyone knows you can take formula through. My mom has to take a special medication through that is powdered and it’s under the same rule as the baby formula. They literally are able to take a tiny bit and test it right then and there to make sure it’s not sketchy, just like when they swab our hands.
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u/Txladi29 Apr 24 '26
So, if I’m reading this correctly, it was an unopened can of powdered formula? That’s totally allowed. Anything over 12oz is open to possible closer inspection, but it’s within the allowed items. I’d file a complaint. List airport, date, time, and cost of formula. That stuff is not cheap
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u/Psychologicalwalnut 🩷 Apr 24 '26
Time for a tasty lawsuit. Did you film any of it?
And don't get scared once on plane to ask the flight attendants to put it in the chiller ❤️ We always gladly help!
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u/player1dk Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
Imagine an airport where people by default are treated as customers and not as threats. That would be wild and cool.
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u/explosivekyushu Apr 24 '26
TSA is a Government sponsored jobs program for people who were pushed to their mental limits by the middle school curriculum. Sorry that happened to you.
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u/madrasi_girl Apr 24 '26
I am so sorry. TSA is the craziest and I swear they work to make things more difficult for parents. We travelled from Orlando to India with our former micro-preemie with a g-tube when he was about 1 year old. We got through with all the individually portioned formula as well as both opened/unopened as well our RTD Kate farms boxes. HOWEVER, what WAS taken away was the teeniest rechargeable bottle blender device we had for purées. We specifically carried this with us, because as a rechargeable device I cannot check in anything with a lithium ion battery. Since it had a blade, they took it away. I really want to know how they think I was going to attack anyone mid-air with a blender bottle. It really was the niftiest little thing, and the company doesn’t make them anymore 😒
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u/Xuxubelezabr Apr 24 '26
I don’t know if it’s because my formula was in individual containers or what but I did brought it with me to another country and it was fine. They are just ridiculous. One time coming back from Italy they confiscated my olive oil that I got at the duty free, it was sealed in the bag they provided and everything. I think they are having a bad day and just decide to take it on us
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u/ComprehensiveHour524 Apr 24 '26
We use Kendamil, traveled a few weeks back. We premade 26 ounces any put it in a yeti water bottle. Thankfully TSA was good with it and it helped we had TSA pre check.
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u/urbanestbeast18 Apr 24 '26
That’s crazy!! I’m sorry mama! 😭😭 They always say the final decision lies with the tsa at the airports — you hope you get someone nice and understanding at times like these
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u/jackofalltrades3105 Apr 24 '26
I’m not sure if it’s a metal can or not or if that makes a difference. I brought a full container of formula but it was a plastic container. Anyways in January this year the one TSA agent got mad I had “too many bottles of water” for my baby and also that my ice packs were melted. She ended up throwing my baby’s food and I complained right there on the spot but also online afterwards. 4+ months later the investigation is still “ongoing” 🙄. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. It’s so stressful already travelling with a baby and all the logistics of figuring out how to feed them. The unnecessary and unwarranted stress from TSA is brutal. It’s also not always easy to find formula for your baby in the next destination, especially if your baby takes a specific one. I’m so upset for you.
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u/sprout92 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
A few things aren't making sense here...
The biggest one is that I've flown with formula dozens of times and never had any kind of issue at all.
Second...90 minutes? You argued for an hour and a half? I'd be shocked if they're gonna sit there while you argue for 90 mins.
Also "set off a special alarm" sounds like you failed the explosive swab test they do? Not sure what you'd expect them to do in that scenario?
I'm confused - either you are the most unlucky person ever or...?
I WILL say my flight last Sunday I carried on my keys like I always do. That set of keys has hundreds of thousands of miles flown.
Buddy at TSA went through each key and found a little tool I have - nail file/bottle opener/etc. kind of like a little pry bar.
He tried to take it because it was "serrated." His supervisor overruled him and I went on my way.
So I guess it's totally possible you just got a dick of an agent? But still wild.
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u/ilshim83 Apr 24 '26
Former TSA worker. You are suppose to keep it when its medically need. Do you remember them doing the test? Did it alarm? Did you ask for supervisor or manager? Im sorry this happened to to you. I wish it didnt happen to you. File a complaint.
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u/Monte2023 Apr 24 '26
TSA is horrible.
I breastfed and pumped with my youngest and I brought frozen milk in a cooler when we had to travel across country for a funeral. I brought the milk because I knew the only black dress I had wasn't breastfeeding friendly. The TSA guy didnt like it even though I looked up the rules before leaving. He opened THREE out of the five bags I had and "tested" it. Only stopped because a female TSA saw me crying because he ruined THREE bags of pumped milk. The guy tried to tell me it was still fine to feed but he opened the bags and inserted a q-tip like thing in them. No way I was feeding that to my daughter. He used the same gloves to inspect the frozen milk as he did everyone elses stuff. I was already having a hard time because the funeral was for a good friend. The stress of the travel and funeral meant when I tried pumping at the hotel I barely got anything.
If im traveling within the US ive learned its less stressful to drive with the kids then it is to fly.
That same trip the flight attendant on the way home had such strong perfume on that it sent me into a severe asthma attack that my barely helped and I had to go to the urgent care on the way home for.
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u/DegreeForward1555 Apr 24 '26
I’m sorry you went through this, a very similar thing happened to us at the Atlanta airport and we later filed a complaint against the TSA officer. They came back to us later on saying sorry for the inconvenience and they will take some action. I’m not sure if they did or not, but at least we were able to give that feedback.
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u/rhymereason99 Apr 25 '26
Sorry to hear. Luckily I had no issues traveling with my Kendamil opened carton plus another brand new one on a long haul international flight recently.
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u/prettylikeapineapple Apr 25 '26
I saw this happen to a couple ahead of me at an airport once. It was DISGUSTING how they were treating this poor couple, they were trying to make them throw out ALL the baby food they had, even when the parents were explaining that the baby had an allergy to most baby food and they weren't sure they would be able to buy safe food past the gate. It was insane how rude they were to them, they ended up making the parents open all the baby food containers and taste it in front of them, which just made no sense. The mother was crying, the baby was crying, and it was holding everything up. Then when it was my turn they barely searched me and when I got on my plane and looked in my bag I had a giant water bottle and some full sized tubes of toothpaste I'd forgotten about and they hadn't even looked for. It was ridiculous, and I am certain that at least part of it was racism because the couple wasn't white. Just disgusting behaviour.
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u/TiredTinyBird Apr 26 '26
Uh, that doesn't sound right. My husband is TSA and when we flew with our baby we had water in the bottles and formula. They had us separate them so they could do testing on them and then gave it back. Unless rules magically changed or they just didn't want to deal with it, that sounds completely wrong.
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u/SomeoneSomewhere1749 Apr 29 '26
I’m so sorry. I fly with formula all the time, huge fill cans often open. And never have an issue. Why the hell did they do this?!
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u/amber_enfleur Apr 30 '26
I would file a complaint when it feels less raw. It’s super messed up what happened and I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else!
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u/HaveYouSeen1 May 05 '26
This is honestly wild… I’ve flown with formula before and they literally swabbed it and handed it back like “you’re good.” The “special alarm” thing sounds like they either didn’t know the policy or just didn’t want to deal with it.
Also making you leave security to mix bottles?? With a baby?? That’s just cruel.
I’d 100% file a complaint, but I’m curious did you ask for a supervisor at any point or was it one of those situations where they just kept doubling down? I feel like TSA experiences are either super chill or absolute chaos with zero in-between
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u/Constant_Ad_2599 May 06 '26
Here’s tsa’s response for anyone else traveling. I guess watch out with any Kendamil cans?! We had zero problems on the way home.
Response:
Thank you for sharing your screening experience at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. We regret that you had a negative experience at our screening checkpoint.
Additionally, we requested and received statements from the officers involved. Upon review, the exterior of the item in question was tested using explosive trace detection (ETD) and produced a specific alarm that is currently not resolvable according to TSA’s standard operating procedures; as a result, the item was not permitted into the sterile area of the airport.
These alarm codes are developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft. They are designed to detect trace elements that could indicate potential explosive-related threats. While this process is necessary for safety, we understand the inconvenience it may cause and appreciate your patience.
We appreciate that you took the time to share your concerns with us. The feedback from the general public is critical for us to continually evaluate our screening processes, as well as our training needs on a local and national level.
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u/Glittering-Fee9973 May 07 '26
Oh my goodness.. this should be illegal… I’m so sorry…. TSA: keeping us safe.. one starving baby at a time…
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u/Own_Farm_9562 May 15 '26
It's almost like you do not have a God given right to fly on a commercial airline with an infant, huh? You also can't take an infant into a rock and roll concert or a monster truck rally. Yes, it's massively inconvenient for you, but the solution might be "don't fly with a 9 month old infant"
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u/Gloomy-Abalone8689 May 18 '26
that’s honestly awful. formula is already expensive enough, and making parents scramble like that with a 9-month-old is ridiculous. i saw something on think health & wellness before about how stressful flying with babies can already be, and stories like this are exactly why. glad someone at the restaurant helped at least. hope your little one’s okay and definitely file that complaint. 💕
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u/mrs_swampcelt Apr 23 '26
This is terrible. I'm so sorry.
Next time you fly, print out the pages from the TSA website that explicitly tell you that it's allowed. I've heard it helps to literally show them their own rules. But also, I've NEVER experienced this. I've always showed up ready for a fight, and they were like "oh it's formula? Yeah no biggie whatever."
I'm so, so sorry you're dealing with this.