Overview

• Pompeo was held at airport security for an hour in March when her unopened bag of organic sunflower seeds set off alarms and led agents to call in a bomb squad.
• TSA officers told the Grey’s Anatomy star they suspected a chemical residue on the Erewhon packaging and needed explosives experts to inspect the snack.
• Although Pompeo offered to discard the seeds to catch her flight, she remained detained until the bomb squad confirmed the package was safe.
• Federal guidelines allow most solid foods in carry-on luggage but warn that unusual packaging or residues can trigger additional screening.
• A self-described nervous flyer, Pompeo said she now travels with only essentials like mints, water and wipes and leans on her children for comfort during takeoff.