Food Safety Tips for Sack Lunches
It is especially important to take extra precautions and practice safe food handling
when packing a school lunch. If lunches are not refrigerated, they provide the perfect
environment for bacteria in food to multiply rapidly and cause foodborne illness.
Follow the suggestions below to reduce the risk of foodborne illness this school
year:
- Encourage children to wash their hands before eating
- Include a package of moist towelettes in case soap and water is not accessible.
- Use an insulated lunch bag with a commercial ice pack. Sandwiches with meat and cheese fillings will stay cool, tasty and safe.
- Teach your youngsters to keep their lunch bags out of the direct sun.
- Use a chilled Thermos® to keep milk, juice or other perishables cold.
- Add a box of 100% fruit juice or cup of yogurt that has been frozen overnight. By lunchtime, they will be defrosted and will help keep the other foods cool.
- Include foods that do not need refrigeration like peanut butter sandwiches, whole grain crackers, dried fruit, fresh fruit, granola bars and unopened cans of pudding.
- Wash fruits and vegetables before packing into the lunch bag.
- Wash insulated lunch bags after every use.