Ellen Pompeo, the beloved actress who played Dr. Meredith Grey for 19 seasons on Grey’s Anatomy, recently opened up about a bizarre and unexpected experience at a U.S. airport: she was detained by the TSA for nearly an hour due to a bag of Erewhon sunflower seeds, which triggered a chemical alert during routine screening.
This surprising incident not only caused Pompeo to nearly miss her flight, but also led to the TSA calling in the bomb squad—all over a snack she picked up from a luxury grocery store. Here’s everything we know about Ellen Pompeo’s TSA story that has since gone viral.
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🧳 Ellen Pompeo’s Travel Mishap: From Healthy Snack to Security Threat
According to Pompeo, the incident took place in March 2024, and she detailed it during a candid conversation on the Travel + Leisure podcast.
“I had some Erewhon sunflower seeds. I love my snacks,” said Ellen Pompeo. “But when they scanned the bag, the machine picked up on some kind of chemical. They flagged it, swabbed it, and then said they had to call in the bomb squad.”
Yes, you read that right—the bomb squad was summoned over a sealed bag of organic sunflower seeds.
Pompeo recalled her disbelief:
“I literally asked, ‘Is this a joke?’ I told them, ‘Just throw it away!’ But they said, ‘No, we have to call it in.’”
While the actress tried to keep calm, she admitted texting her publicist during the ordeal:
“I might not get on this flight, and you’ll never believe why.”
⏰ TSA Detention Lasted Nearly an Hour
The TSA held Ellen Pompeo for approximately 45 minutes to an hour while the bomb squad assessed the suspicious item. Fortunately, the package was cleared, and Pompeo was allowed to board her flight.
While she ultimately made it to her destination, the experience left a lasting impression:
“I will never take Erewhon snacks on a plane again,” Pompeo joked. “Not worth the hassle. And they’re ridiculously expensive anyway.”
The actress, known for her wit and grounded personality, managed to turn the incident into a humorous anecdote—but it’s also a cautionary tale for frequent travelers.
🧠 Why Did TSA Flag the Sunflower Seeds?
TSA agents often use swabs and chemical sensors to detect explosives or dangerous substances on bags and food items. Even innocuous products can sometimes trigger false positives—especially those with certain packaging materials or residue from manufacturing.
In Pompeo’s case, the Erewhon sunflower seed bag apparently caused a chemical reading that raised enough concern to require full protocol, including a bomb squad inspection.
🛫 What Ellen Pompeo’s Story Teaches Us About Airport Travel
Ellen Pompeo’s experience isn’t just a funny celebrity travel story—it also illustrates the unpredictability of airport security screenings, even for the most mundane items.
Travel Tips Inspired by Ellen Pompeo’s TSA Experience:
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Avoid bringing packaged items with unusual materials or residue-sensitive packaging.
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If you’re carrying food, especially from upscale or organic brands like Erewhon, be prepared for questions.
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Always arrive early, because even a minor delay like this can snowball into a missed flight.
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And yes—even celebrities get flagged.
👩⚕️ Ellen Pompeo: Life Beyond Grey’s Anatomy
While this quirky travel story put Ellen Pompeo back in headlines, she’s never really left the spotlight. After stepping back from full-time acting on Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo has focused on producing and developing new content.
She remains one of the most iconic names in modern TV, with Grey’s Anatomy still ranking among the most-watched shows on streaming platforms.
Pompeo has used her platform to speak openly about women’s rights, equal pay in Hollywood, and now, apparently, the risks of carrying sunflower seeds through TSA.
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