This Act mandates the TSA to establish and regularly update strict hygiene guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and other baby drinks during aviation security checks.
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act mandates the TSA to develop and update strict hygiene guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and other essential baby drinks at airport security checkpoints. These rules, created in consultation with maternal health groups, aim to minimize contamination risks during any necessary additional screening. Furthermore, the Inspector General will audit compliance with these new handling standards within one year of the Act's enactment.
New Law Mandates Safer Screening for Breast Milk and Formula at Airports Within 90 Days
If you’ve ever flown with a baby or traveled while pumping, you know the airport security dance with breast milk or formula can be stressful—and sometimes, downright gross. This new piece of legislation, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, aims to fix that by making sure the TSA handles these essential liquids safely and hygienically.
The 90-Day Clock for Cleaner Screening
The core of this bill is a mandate for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to update its screening guidelines within 90 days. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a requirement under Section 2. The new rules must specifically focus on reducing the risk of contamination when TSA agents need to perform extra screening—like opening a container or using testing strips—on breast milk, formula, purified water, or juice. This directly addresses the common complaint from parents that current procedures often feel unsanitary, potentially compromising a baby’s nutrition.
Crucially, the TSA must develop these new hygiene standards in consultation with “major, recognized maternal health groups.” This requirement means the agency can’t just write the rules in a vacuum; they must incorporate expert advice from organizations that actually understand the safe handling of human milk and infant nutrition. For traveling parents, this means the procedures should be grounded in public health best practices, not just security theater.
Accountability and the Real-World Impact
What makes this bill stick is the follow-up mechanism. The Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General (IG) is required to conduct an audit within one year of the law’s enactment. This audit will check on two major things: first, how well TSA employees and private screening contractors are actually complying with the new hygiene standards, and second, how effective current screening technologies (like liquid scanners) are when dealing with breast milk and other baby drinks. They also have to report on how often these items are denied entry into the secure area. For the average traveler, this means there’s an official watchdog making sure the new rules are actually followed on the ground, not just printed in a manual.
For the TSA staff and contractors, this means new training and stricter compliance checks are coming. While it’s a positive change for public health, it adds a layer of responsibility and procedure to an already fast-paced job. The benefit, however, is a clearer, standardized process that reduces confusion and complaints.
This legislation is a straightforward win for families. It acknowledges that breast milk and formula are not just liquids but essential, often irreplaceable, nutrition that needs to be handled with care. By mandating expert consultation, setting hygiene requirements, and requiring an independent audit, the bill moves the process from being a source of stress and potential contamination to a predictable, safer experience for parents flying with infants.