Diet pills that come in GRENADE shaped containers spark airport security alert Makers of Grenade pills say they won't change the container design Items that could be mistaken for a real weapon are banned on planes The Grenade pills come in imitation packaging, but company bosses say it is obvious it's not the real thing Airport staff have been put on alert after diet pills in grenade-shaped containers caused security problems. The pills have been confiscated at some UK airports under EU regulations banning passengers from carrying anything that could be mistaken for a weapon and cause alarm. But the makers of Grenade pills claim it is obvious that the containers are plastic and will not change the design. Alan Barratt, 36, who founded the company with wife Juliet, said: 'I can't see how it could be mistaken for a weapon. 'For a start, it's about twice the size of a real grenade and made of plastic. 'It's no different to a child's toy. 'We export to Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and we've never had a problem. We have no plans to change the design. We are sticking with it. Mr Barratt said he had not encountered security problems when travelling with the containers in his hold luggage, though he had not tried to fly with one in his hand luggage. The regulations state passengers must not carry toy guns, replicas and imitation fire arms that could be mistaken for the real thing. An Aberdeen Airport spokesman said: 'Security staff are kept updated about products like this in case something could cause alarm. We can confiscate them. A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: 'Anything with the appearance of a prohibited item, such as these grenades, is not permitted in the cabin.' Airport staff have been put on alert after diet pills that come in grenade shaped containers caused security problems The palm-sized container could fall foul of rules banning imitation weapons on planes Airport security staff around the world are trained to confiscate anything that looks like a weapon Hand luggage Essential tablets, capsules and medicines Liquids in bottles no larger than 100ml that can be carried in a one litre plastic bag Scissors with blades no longer than 6cm Nail scissors, tweezers and knitting needles Umbrellas, walking canes and walking aids Hold luggage Stanley knives, saws, crowbars, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers and blowtorches Guns and firearms such as air rifles - as long as the airline gives permission beforehand Harpoons, spearguns and crossbows Sharp knives or with blades longer than 6cm Source: Gov.uk Mr and Mrs Barratt, from Birmingham, recently signed a contract to supply every US Army base in the world with the pills. But the rules on restricted luggage items were tightened around the world in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Every week, the US Transport Security Administration team publishes a round-up of items seized from passenger luggage. Last week alone security staff confiscated two novelty bombs that looked 'like something Wile E Coyote would lob at the Roadrunner' at Phoenix Airport. They also removed six inert, novelty or replica grenades from luggage at Omaha, Las Vegas, Asheville and Denver airports. The blog, updated by staff member Bob Burns, said: 'Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a realistic bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited - real or not. When these items are found at a checkpoint or in checked baggage, they can cause significant delays. I know they are cool novelty items, but it is best not to take them on a plane. The toy soldier bought by Julie Lloy - its three-inch rifle was classed as a firearm by Gatwick security A plastic toy soldier fell foul of security rules at Gatwick in January 2011, when officials said its three-inch rifle was a 'firearm'. Expat Julie Lloyd, then 59, had bought the plastic Royal Signaller as a present to give to her husband Ken, then 60, a former member of the Territorial Army, after a visit home to Britain. She said at the time: "I took it to the airport still in its wrapping, but they discovered the little gun when it was scanned. It is only about three inches long and there are no moving parts. There isn't even a trigger. But they wouldn't let me take it with me. I had it in my hand luggage. I just didn't think it would cause a problem. They said rules were rules. There was no flexibility or common sense. Mrs Lloyd, who emigrated to Toronto, Canada with her husband in 1993, had to buy a padded envelope to send the rifle home. A spokesman from the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford, Dorset, said at the time: 'It's probably just as well we didn't sell her a toy tank.'