Food taken into USA

I know that the USDA prohibits the importation of such things as fruit due to them wanting to keep their own crops disease free.

However, last year we took our own boxes of formula milk for the little one without hassle but were told by the cabin crew to make baby drink what milk she had left in her bottle as she wouldn't be allowed to take it in. (she drank it anyway so it wasn't a problem)

At the time we were weaning her off formula milk and onto dairy milk and the cabin crew told us there was a 7-11 just outside the airport where we could buy a bottle of milk. (its actually on the first approach road for the 417 which is not the main approach so we missed it, cue unhappy baby until we could pull off the motorway and buy some milk without us getting lost).

She now drinks dairy milk (gallons of it in fact, we go through 16 pints a week) and shall therefore have 2 or 3 bottles of dairy milk with her on the plane. If she is still drinking a bottle of milk will customs take it off her?? bearing in mind that she will take a massive temper tantrum if they do??

How sympathetic are they in these sort of situations?

I think they might. My suggestion is to feed her on the plane just before landing so that she is not hungry on arrival. If she cries, you could try water to appease her for a few minutes. The US Immis are rather touchy about opened or exposed food brought into their country.

Dairy products aren't allowed so they will probably take it off you. As Nostromo says if she is fed before landing and you have either some juice or treats or something I'm sure she will be fine. I was trying to think and am usually too excited to notice but I'm sure after arrival there is a newsagents shop or cafe (actually there might be one by the car hire desk) where you may be able to pick her up a bottle of milk whilst the car hire is being sorted to give you enough to last till you get to Publix or wherever.

I think unopened cans of dried baby formula may be allowed in but have heard some people have even had trouble with that.

Feeding babies as you land is a good idea anyway. The sucking action helps to "pop" their ears and prevent that awful earache that some people get :)

Pam

Looks like we will be okay.
I found this on the US Customs website question and answer section.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Bakery items, candy, chocolate, and cured cheese are generally admissible. Canned goods and goods in vacuum packed jars (other than those containing meat or poultry products)are also generally admissible if being imported for personal use.

Dairy items such as milk, yogurt, butter are generally admissible, although this is subject to change, depending on disease outbreaks. Eggs may be admissible, although frequent outbreaks of Exotic Newcastles Disease and avian flu make it very likely that they will be denied entry. Hard cured cheese such as parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water(ricotta, feta, etc.) are not.

Fish, if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.

Condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey, jelly, jam, etc., are generally admissible.
[/quote]

http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/cust...i=&p_topview=1

But further down the page it says this:

Poultry, pork, milk, butter and cured cheeses (Cheddar, etc.) and eggs are permitted entry. However, all such products must be in packages clearly marked with Canada (or the U.S.) as the country of origin.

So, unless it originates from either the US or Canada, you're not allowed to import milk. They're still very wary about foot and mouth disease after the outbreak in the UK.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ujpest doza
Looks like we will be okay.
I found this on the US Customs website question and answer section.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Bakery items, candy, chocolate, and cured cheese are generally admissible. Canned goods and goods in vacuum packed jars (other than those containing meat or poultry products)are also generally admissible if being imported for personal use.

Dairy items such as milk, yogurt, butter are generally admissible, although this is subject to change, depending on disease outbreaks. Eggs may be admissible, although frequent outbreaks of Exotic Newcastles Disease and avian flu make it very likely that they will be denied entry. Hard cured cheese such as parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water(ricotta, feta, etc.) are not.

Fish, if it is for your personal use, is generally admissible.

Condiments such as oil, vinegar, mustard, catsup, pickles, syrup, honey, jelly, jam, etc., are generally admissible.
[/quote]

http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/cust...i=&p_topview=1

[/quote]


Thats a useful link.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
But further down the page it says this:

Poultry, pork, milk, butter and cured cheeses (Cheddar, etc.) and eggs are permitted entry. However, all such products must be in packages clearly marked with Canada (or the U.S.) as the country of origin.

So, unless it originates from either the US or Canada, you're not allowed to import milk. They're still very wary about foot and mouth disease after the outbreak in the UK.
[/quote]
[msnsad][msncry]

you won't be able to take a baby's bottle of milk into US - we had to get the flight staff to tip away 2 spare bottles that we had taken with us. last time we took a sachet of sma progress with us to make up once we cleared customs - even though our son was on cows milk by then he didn't notice the difference.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by nikki.sunshine
you won't be able to take a baby's bottle of milk into US - we had to get the flight staff to tip away 2 spare bottles that we had taken with us. last time we took a sachet of sma progress with us to make up once we cleared customs - even though our son was on cows milk by then he didn't notice the difference.
[/quote]

How did you make it up after clearing customs??
Did you have a mini kettle or something?