Refreshed and reinvigorated from the summer holidays, parents eagerly send children to school armed with new supplies and a nutritiously-balanced lunch to keep them fueled and focused throughout the day. Despite the best intentions, unfortunately, what’s inside their child’s lunchbox may actually be providing a safe haven for potentially harmful food-borne bacteria.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, every year approximately four million Canadians are affected by food poisoning. Without proper storage, the contents of a child’s lunchbox gradually start to heat up, making it easy for harmful bacteria to rapidly multiply from a single organism to many within hours. Children are especially susceptible because their immune systems are not fully developed.
The Ontario Minstry of Health teamed up with Lydia Knorr, a registered dietician with over two decades experience, to put together a top ten list for us on the most important things to remember when packing a lunch and keeping it stored healthily.
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Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are at the correct temperature for food safety – fridge: 4°Celsius (40°Farenheit); freezer: -18°Celsius (0°Farenheit).
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Always start with clean hands – it’s easy to pick up dirt and germs as we move through the day so be sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling any food.
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Clean your work surfaces before preparing food and make sure your utensils are clean too!
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Separate your food groups during preparation – use one cutting board for fruit and vegetables and another for meat.
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Fresh fruit and vegetables are a great addition to the lunch bag – just remember to wash all produce thoroughly before packing.
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Separate your food groups in the lunchbox – wrap sandwiches apart from raw vegetables using plastic wrap, re-sealable bags, or air tight containers.
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Make sure foods stay at the appropriate temperature by using an icepack for cold items and a thermos for hot foods. An insulated lunch bag will also help keep foods hot and cold.
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Never save uneaten lunch items for the next day – throw them out!
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Pack bacterial wipes or hand wash in your child’s lunchbox so they can wipe their hands before and after eating.
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Wipe the lunch box clean every day after school to get rid of any leftover food particles and germs.
For more information on how to keep your food and family save, visit Ontario.ca/safefoodfacts.
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