Can I bring baby formula in carry-on?

Yes. Baby formula is explicitly exempt from the 100ml rule in the US, UK, EU, Canada, and most countries worldwide. Bring what you need for the journey. Declare it at the security checkpoint and remove it from your bag for separate screening.

Can I bring breast milk without a baby?

Yes in the US and UK. TSA explicitly allows breast milk in carry-on even when not traveling with an infant — this was clarified to accommodate pumping mothers returning from work trips. UK security follows the same approach. Declare it at the security lane.

Are food pouches like Ella's Kitchen allowed in carry-on?

Yes. Pureed baby food in squeezable pouches is exempt from the 100ml liquid rule when brought for infant feeding. Declare them at security and be prepared for them to be tested with a liquid explosive detector. Bring as many as you need for the journey.

Can I bring ice packs to keep baby milk cold?

Yes. Ice packs and gel packs used to keep breast milk or formula cold are allowed through security, even though frozen gel packs are normally restricted. They should be fully frozen solid when you reach the checkpoint — partially melted (slushy) gel packs may be treated as liquids.

Do I need to taste baby formula at security to prove it is safe?

No. TSA does not require you to taste formula or breast milk to verify it. Officers may test it with a liquid explosive detector device. You can decline to open sealed containers, though officers may then request alternative screening methods.

Can You Bring Baby Food on a Plane? Yes, Exempt

Baby food, infant formula, breast milk, and toddler drinks are exempt from the standard 100ml liquid rule at security checkpoints in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and most other countries. You can bring what you need for the journey — not just 100ml.

This exemption exists because restricting infant nutrition at security creates a genuine welfare risk for traveling families. Aviation authorities worldwide have recognized this and built explicit carve-outs into their liquid rules.

What Is Covered by the Exemption

The following items are exempt from the 100ml rule when brought for feeding an infant or toddler:

Infant formula (powder and ready-to-feed liquid)
Breast milk
Toddler milk and toddler drinks
Baby food purees and porridge
Pureed food in squeezable pouches (Ella's Kitchen, HiPP, Heinz, Plum, etc.)
Baby water (sterile water used to prepare formula)
Liquid medications for infants

Ice packs, gel packs, and cooling equipment used to keep breast milk or formula cold are also permitted, even though gel cooling products are normally restricted liquids.

Country-by-Country Rules

United States (TSA)

TSA's exemption for baby nutrition is among the most clearly documented of any security authority. The rules:

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food in quantities over 3.4 oz (100ml) are permitted in carry-on
No quantity limit specified — "reasonable quantities" for the journey
Ice packs, freezer packs, and frozen gel used to keep these items cold are also permitted
Breast milk without an infant: TSA explicitly allows mothers to carry breast milk in carry-on even when not traveling with the baby — an important provision for pumping mothers returning from work travel

At the checkpoint:

Declare all baby food and formula to the security officer before your bag goes through the X-ray
Remove these items from your bag and place them in a separate bin
Officers may use a liquid explosive detector to test the items — this is routine and takes about 30 seconds
If testing inconclusive, you may be asked to submit to additional screening — the items will not be confiscated

You do not need to open sealed, commercially packaged formula. Officers may ask you to open formula you have already mixed with water.

United Kingdom

UK airport security applies the same exemption: baby food, formula, and breast milk are allowed in carry-on in quantities needed for the journey. The UK's guidance specifically states that baby food and milk for infants are exempt from liquid restrictions.

Ice packs for keeping breast milk cold are also permitted. Breast milk may be carried without an infant present — UK security follows TSA's approach on this point.

European Union

EU airport security allows baby food and formula for travel with infants. The standard wording is "food for infants" exempt from liquid restrictions when "sufficient to cover the duration of the journey." In practice, EU airports are generally accommodating, though individual security lanes vary in how consistently the exemption is applied.

If you encounter difficulty at a EU airport, request a supervisor. The exemption is real and documented in EU aviation security regulations.

Canada (CATSA)

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) exempts breast milk, formula, and baby food from carry-on liquid restrictions. The same declare-and-remove process applies at Canadian checkpoints.

Australia

Australia allows baby food and formula through security with no quantity limit. On arrival in Australia, however, biosecurity (customs) rules require declaring all food items including baby food. Commercially sealed, labeled products are typically cleared without issue, but declare them to avoid fines.

Pre-Made and Ready-to-Feed Formula

Ready-to-feed formula — the sealed liquid bottles pre-mixed for immediate use — is fully covered by the exemption. You can bring a full day's supply of ready-to-feed formula bottles in your carry-on.

This is particularly useful for newborns and for parents who want to avoid mixing formula with potentially variable water sources on the plane or at the destination.

Cooling Breast Milk

Breast milk requires refrigeration or ice to stay safe during travel. The rules for cooling equipment:

Fully frozen ice packs: pass through security freely, treated as solids
Partially melted (slushy) ice packs: may be treated as liquids and restricted; try to keep them fully frozen until you reach the checkpoint
Insulated cooler bags: no restriction on the bag itself
Dry ice: permitted in carry-on up to 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) if the container allows CO2 to escape; dry ice in a sealed container is prohibited

If you are pumping during a long trip, most airports have family rooms or nursing stations where you can pump. Many aircraft lavatories are large enough to use a hand pump, though not ideal. Call the airline ahead of time to ask about onboard lactation facilities on longer flights.

Sippy Cups and Toddler Drinks

Sippy cups containing milk, juice, or water for a toddler are allowed through security in larger quantities than 100ml. This covers:

Toddler milk (follow-on formula and growing-up milk)
Juice for children
Water in a sippy cup

Note: an adult's water bottle is not covered by this exemption. The exemption applies to drinks specifically for the infant or toddler, not drinks for the parent.

Tips for Getting Through Security Smoothly with Baby Food

Pack all baby food, formula, and breast milk in a single clear bag or pouch that you can easily pull out of your main bag at the checkpoint — this speeds up the separate screening process significantly
Arrive at the airport earlier than you would without a baby — security screening with infant items takes longer, and you need the extra time
Label your breast milk bags clearly — officers see many items daily and clear labeling helps them identify the contents quickly
If your formula needs mixing with hot water, most airports and airlines can provide hot water for formula preparation — ask cabin crew when you board
Bring slightly more than you think you need — flights are delayed, and running out of formula or baby food during an unexpected three-hour delay is significantly more stressful than carrying a little extra