New Bill Aims To Improve TSA Screening for Breast Milk & Formula

Lawmakers in Washington have passed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act. This new, federal bill aims to improve your travel experience as a parent when you're flying with breast milk, formula, and breast pumps. The goal is to make the airport security process less stressful for families with young children by implementing clear guidelines.

According to a news release from Congressman Eric Swalwell, who helped push this bill, the law will do the following: 

• Make sure there are clear and updated guidelines for TSA agents to better screen breastmilk, formula, and feeding equipment (like pumps)
• Ensure TSA agents get additional and consistent training
• Improve communication with moms and dads about their rights at checkpoints
• These guidelines will be updated every five years to meet new needs and additional technology

This is a big win for moms and dads because it will make sure that certain standards are in place when you’re traveling with breastmilk and formula. There will also be standards about how items like breastmilk are handled and screened. 

Congressman Swalwell wrote: “As a husband and father, I know how overwhelming traveling with a newborn can be. Having a baby in your arms is already a challenge and the last thing mothers should worry about is whether their breast milk or formula will be mishandled at the checkpoint. This is a huge win for traveling mothers. The BABES Act ensures TSA officers receive proper training and follow robust hygienic standards so parents can travel with confidence. This is about giving families peace of mind and making sure babies have the nutrition they need. I’m proud this bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.”

Lawmakers who pushed for these increased protections say they want to have a process that’s clear and consistent, so no matter where you are traveling, the standards are the same.

“As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to travel when you are breastfeeding or worried about how to feed your child,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who helped push for this bill in the US House. In a news release she went on to say, “Like so many moms, I've experienced the frustration of having to throw out milk or pumping supplies, despite them being TSA-approved. Outdated regulations or lack of training shouldn’t add to an already stressful situation. We need clear policies about how TSA handles breast milk, baby formula, and pumping supplies so parents can travel without worrying that they will be confiscated, contaminated or mishandled. I’m glad to see it pass in the House with bipartisan support, a commonsense step to support families and keep our kids safe and healthy.”

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The bill received bipartisan support and is now waiting for the President’s signature.

In a release from Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, who also helped advance this bill, she stated "For years, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of parents and breastfeeding mothers facing inconsistent policies at airport checkpoints, because of the absence of clear TSA standards. That's wrong, and the government should never stand between parents and their child's nourishment while traveling. This bill guarantees clear rules, proper training, and full transparency so parents can travel knowing their baby food will be protected, not mishandled or thrown away.”

Currently the TSA does have certain guidelines in place for parents traveling with formula and breastmilk (and what they can bring through the security). You can read more about those here.