Formula on flight?

Has anyone had any issues with taking the little cartons of pre-mixed formula on flights? We are planning to bring our sterilized bottles and just use the cartons. There is 200 ml in each carton, so I think they should be ok, shouldn't they? 

When I flew with my little one last year I packed a bunch of those Ella's Kitchen things (http://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/) and they made me open and taste a percentage of them. Something like 25% of what I was carrying. I was so angry as they weren't going to keep after they were opened. Don't be surprised if you come across the same thing. You may want to pack 25% more than you need!

They are *not* meant to be making you open and taste them -- it says so on the TSA website -- but it does happen. Yech.

"When carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your infant or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice."

I've traveled with formula and they're one of the exceptions to the quantity rule, so you don't have to worry about how much is in the bottle. We brought 1 liter bottles last time!

Mine was weaning food so that may be why.

Check which shops are in the terminal that you are leaving from, at Manchester airport there is a Boots in the duty free area, so I never bring any, I just buy it at the airport. Check the airport map tosee if you can do that.

Check which shops are in the terminal that you are leaving from, at Manchester airport there is a Boots in the duty free area, so I never bring any, I just buy it at the airport. Check the airport map tosee if you can do that.

Personally, I don't buy it at the airport.  Too expensive!  Especially since it is perfectly acceptable to bring formula and baby food through security.  I've done it to and from the States with no trouble.  I also took a big bag full of Ella's Kitchen type baby food packets for my toddler, and I didn't have to taste any of them.  I did take more than I needed just to be safe though.

They are *not* meant to be making you open and taste them -- it says so on the TSA website -- but it does happen. Yech.

TSA's the US-side of it.  It's the UK security agents that will make you open up and taste.  (ie leaving the UK or if you have an internal flight within the UK.)  Fine, if you're putting formula straight into a bottle, but very frustrating when you've got a handful of them, and they all have to pull them all out and test for gsr / explosive residue.  Because having babies is so dangerous...   

You'll need to check the rules for the airport and airline you'll be flying with for their specific regulations.  Just so you know what to expect.

Best advice: keep all your baby liquids together in a zippered bag (and at the top of your main bag) if possible.  Makes your life much easier on the UK side of it when they want all the liquids out and make you taste 'em and have the hassle of seemingly everyone staring at you juggling the baby stuff. 

I've never been asked to taste water or food for any of my babies leaving the UK, and I've flown a couple times a year.  I know it does still happen now and again, but I suspect if you were to really question since it destroys any sterilisation, you may be able to get someone higher up to say it's fine to not do that.  I think you just got someone who was overzealous.  I know they made you drink it closer to 9/11, but I thought it was supposed to have been changed in both directions now.

Leaving the US, no problem, they just wand the bottles (I had some premade bottles rather than cartons, but same type of thing).

Leaving the UK by air we have not yet done but friends report it's better to call the branch of Boots in the airport you are leaving from and preorder the cartons you need to pick up airside - so you are not taking them through security.

A few airports have extra security airside and will not let you take, for example, bottled water bought airside through (Schipol is one) so be careful with which way you are travelling (I don't know the Schipol rules on formula as I've only been that way pre-baby).