so what is the deal with formula on long-haul flights (on BA from UK to USA)???

[Mimsy2000]

Have just gotten off the phone with BA and they assure me that I can either

1. bring unopened, premade formula through customs and they will not make me open or drink it

or

1. i can bring powder formula and can get boiled water on the flight

Either of these options are fine but I don't really believe them.

Does anyone know? Any bright ideas?

Ring the Boots airside at T5 (0208 285 6202) and ask them to put aside x cartons of whatever brand you prefer. They always have loads out anyway, and sell the sterile disposable bottles.

fab - and the number too.

many thanks!

If you don't bring liquids, then there is no issue at all.

If you have bottles of milk, apparently you are made to taste them. At worst, you will have to discard them at security and rebuy at the Boots in the airside part of the terminal.

The best thing is to just bring the milk in your own boobs.

YES Cumstoms will make you open and drink each carton. They did with me and all the other parents in the vacinity at Terminal 5 3 weeks ago. I was also made to open a Jar of hipp organic food I had as an emergency but not the plums tub of food.

I agree, ring Boots airside and get them to set the cartons aside.

I just got back from US. When going from Heathrow I had a bottle of made-up formula which security asked me to taste (you can disregard the 100ml rule for baby food). I also had powdered milk in my carry on bag just in case I needed to make some.

They will def make you taste it and Boots will only sell you what they deem enough for the journey. I took cartons and spare of the individual powder sachets just in case of delays, etc.

re: going through customs. the airline you are flying with is irrelevant. it isn't airline policy you are dealing with, it is national security stuff.
the same applies for anyone travelling anyhwhere on any flight with any provider.

Baby formula is regarded under the same banner as medicines etc, and so the 100ml limit does not apply. you can take bottles made up but they CAN ask you to taste it.

it isn't up to BA to tell ytou that cartons will not be opened or tasted because they aren't in charge of customs

there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get boiled water on the flight, so if I were you I would take either:
some bottles of formula already made up
some powder (you can get sachets of some brands)
buy cartons airside

scienceteacher- that's not very helpful for someone who is formula feeding it is? MMmm yes, relactate and start breastfeeding so that you can get through customs??

thanks for the info - have just tried to ring boots and their number seems to be disconnected. can't find an additional one anywhere. argh!

I always just took sachets of 4oz powder (saves measuring!) and asked for boiling water - never had a problem on BA or Virgin long haul.

science teacher

It's not Customs! They are airport security - it depends on what jobsworth is working that day.

Just don't volunteer you have ready made cartons of formula in our carry-on bag. You may not get checked. And if you do they may or may not make you taste it. If they do buy some more once airside!