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?

just used bottled water - by the time they're on cows milk you don't need to boil water to make milk up

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by nikki.sunshine
just used bottled water - by the time they're on cows milk you don't need to boil water to make milk up
[/quote]

I didn't think the powder would dissolve?

Might give something like that a try if it works because she will insist on having a bottle, as she doesn't have a dummy she almost treats the bottle as such.

it should dissolve if you shake the bottle hard enough - if you get lumps then nip to the loo's and run the bottle under the hot tap - the hot water will help dissolve any stubborn lumps and also take the chill off the milk

Would the cartons of ready made formula be allowed I wonder?

we were told no hence the sachets - apparantly powdered milk doesn't matter but any liquid milk is a no no.

Taking the chill off won't bother her as she usually has it ice cold straight from the fridge anyway.

We took ready made cartons with us last year for the journey when she was on formula milk and that was what the cabin crew said was a no no but she had drank it all before customs anyway.

Did drinking formula milk again after having been on fresh for a while not make your little one vomit?

The sachets that you are on about, are they the type that you get in the "Bounty" packs from Mothercare and Boots?

Can you buy them individually as well?

Also, was the bottled water purchased in the uk and taken in or is there a drinks machine selling cans of pop and bottles of water at Sanford Airport?

I have seen the sachets in boots and most supermarkets

as far as i can remember there are vending machines while you wait to clear customs and immigration

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chunkichik
Would the cartons of ready made formula be allowed I wonder?


[/quote]

When i went in October we to 50 Cartons of Ready Made Formula Milk some even in the Hand luggage with no problem at all. We were asked whether we had any food stuffs in our hand luggage when it was scanned in US customs and we told them baby food and formula and they said fine:D