A mother filed a complaint with the Transportation Security Administration after a TSA agent at Denver International Airport allegedly threatened a full-body search over juice boxes that are a medical necessity for her diabetic son.
The juice boxes are required for the 10-year-old boy, who has Type 1 diabetes. The mother said she had previously passed through Denver and other airports with the same juice boxes without any problems, noting they were packed with other medical supplies. In her complaint to the TSA she expressed concern about inconsistent enforcement of screening procedures for medically necessary items.
According to the woman, the agent told her, “The only way I’m going to test these juices and let these juices pass is if you submit to a full-body search and we get your luggage, we’ll take your carry-on bags, and we’re going to search every single thing you have with you. Is that what you want?”
TSA managers met with the mother in Denver after the April incident. The agency’s disability branch said leadership planned to consult with the office that sets screening procedures to explore ways to standardize how medically necessary liquids are screened nationwide.
This report follows another recent controversy at Denver, where TSA agents discarded a mother’s breast milk after a swab test indicated the presence of explosive residue. The agency later apologized for that May incident.
Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions are encouraged to contact TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 several days before travel to arrange assistance and help ensure a smooth security screening.