Packing Safe School Lunches

School will be starting soon and students will be making the decision whether to pack a cold lunch or eat in the cafeteria. So now is the time for parents and students to follow some simple guidelines to keep those lunches safe and students healthy.

Keep Foods Clean

Wash hands, preparation surfaces and utensils when preparing the lunch.

Keep Cold Foods Cold

Many tin lunch boxes are showing up in the stores, although they are fun to look at they offer no insulation to keep foods cold. Insulated lunch boxes are better when packing lunches with a freezer pack. Other cold items such as small frozen juice packs can also be used to keep foods cold. When packing the lunch, pack perishable sandwiches between the cold items to keep them cold. Also, preparing sandwiches ahead of time and refrigerating or freezing before placing in lunch box can keep them colder throughout the morning.

Students should be aware the foods not consumed at lunch time should not be eaten later. Freezer packs generally do not work to keep foods safe all day.

Keep bags out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources.

Keep Hot Food Hot

Foods like soups and macaroni and cheese need to stay hot. Use an insulated bottle stored in an insulated lunch box. Before filling with hot food, fill bottle with boiling water, let stand a few minutes, empty, and then put in the piping hot food. Keep the insulated bottle closed until lunch to keep food hot.

Following these common sense foods safety practices will keep your student from getting sick from a lunch that was not handles properly.

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