Milk Through Airport Security
 

Does anyone know what the rules are for bringing milk in a carry-on? My toddler is lactose intolerant and most stores inside the airport do not carry soy or lactose-free milk. We're going on a 16-hour flight. Thanks in advance.

Here you go:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...n/index.shtm#4

Europe also has liquid rules

Hi K,

You can bring as much baby formula or breast milk as you want in carryon.

See http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...n/formula.shtm

No, Ira, you CAN'T bring as much baby formula/milk with you as you want, UNLESS you have a baby or toddler with you. If you don't have a baby or toddler with you, then any liquid in your carry-on must meet the the 3-1-1 liquid carry-on rules, explained on the TSA links.

&quot;<i>UNLESS you have a baby or toddler with you.</i>&quot; - duh!

Back to OP:

Just call your airline if you haven't and ask for them to have such milk onboard - most airlines make provisions for special diets don't they?

In practice, there are very few food/liquid cream restrictions when travelling with an infant or small child. You just need to separate out the liquids you will be bringing on board for the child. I've flown numerous times both in the US and internationally with my now 2 year old since the new restrictions were put in place and have not had and problems.

That said, it is not a bad idea to get a doctor's note stating that your child is lactose intolerant in case you happen to run into a particularly prickly security worker. It is most probably not necessary, however it will most certainly prevent any potential difficulties with brining it on board in the unlikely even you should encounter hassles. My son has a medical condition that requires a special diet and liquid medications. We always travel with a doctor's note but have never been asked to see it.

Security will probably make you taste it.

They absolute will NOT make you taste it. In fact, they are forbidden from doing so.

That was certainly the rule here at some point during the last few months, and as far as I know it still is.

I thought the rule was that you could carry sufficient for the flight

Well, to give an example, BAA states that liquids related to babies are subject &quot;to be &quot;tasted/verified by the passenger&quot;:
http://tinyurl.com/24hzel

We've taken sippy cups of milk and juice on several flights in the US and Europe and I've been asked to taste it EVERY time. They've never cared exactly what's in the cups or forbidden me from bringing them, but they put them through security separately, make me taste them, and often take my bag aside for additional screening.

It is the opposite in US airports:

&gt;&gt;&gt;When carrying formula or breast milk through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your baby or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk or formula. Our Security Officers will not test or taste formula or breast milk.&lt;&lt;&lt;
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...n/formula.shtm

You should be ok bringing non-dairy formula/drinks WITH the toddler. My experience has been that the security agents ask one of us parents to taste it.

Alternatively, and just to be on the safe side, have you investigaged if you can find powdered soy milk/ non-dairy powder formula?