Keeping foods fresh and appetizing can be a challenge. Food poisoning can happen when food is not prepared or stored properly. The cause of stomach cramps, diarrhea or even vomiting might be blamed on a “flu bug” when it could be caused by a “food bug”. Food poisoning sometimes takes a few days to show up.

Following these few simple tips will help ensure your child’s lunch is not only enjoyable, but safe to eat. 

Clean, Clean, Clean: 

• Wash your hands well with soap and hot water for 20 seconds before you begin making lunch. 

• Teach your children to wash their hands before they eat. Provide a moist wipe in their lunch box if they don’t have access to soap and water.  

• Wash all cooking tools and surfaces with soap and hot water. 

• Clean reusable lunch boxes or bags.  

• Wash all fruits and vegetables well with clean water. 

• Clean re-usable water bottles daily with hot soapy water.  

 Keep Cold Food Cold: 

• Use insulated lunch boxes with freezer packs or frozen juice boxes to keep cold lunches cold. 

• Keep lunch boxes out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or other sources of heat.  

• Refrigerate or freeze sandwiches before packing them for lunch when possible.  

•  Don’t use meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, mayonnaise or dairy products in the lunch if it can’t be kept cold in a refrigerator or with freezer packs.  

 Keep Hot Foods Hot:

• Use an insulated container to store hot foods such as soup.

• Pre-heat insulated containers by fillling with boiling water for a minute, pour out water and fill with hot food right away.