Packing my daughter’s lunch is certainly a chore, and sometimes a straight-up struggle. Trying to keep that lunch bag filled with nutritious foods that she will actually eat — especially for a girl who doesn’t want to eat the same thing every day — is a continuing challenge. Then beyond that, I worry about food safety.
About four hours go by between the moment she heads out to the bus to when she opens her lunch pack, which is plenty of time for finicky perishable foods — like lunch meat or cut fruit — to get a little too warm for my comfort zone. In pre-k, the classes were small enough that they had a little fridge for the kids, but now that she’s in big girl elementary school, that lunch bag is destined for an un-cool cubby.
So I reached out to Tamika Sims, PhD, director of food technology communications for the International Food Information Council Foundation, to see whether my worries had any grounds or were just paranoia. In short: Yes, this is a real risk.
“Perishable items that you’d normally keep refrigerated shouldn’t be held at room temperature for more than two hours, otherwise you’re at a risk for foodborne illness,” says Dr. Sims. And if it’s super-hot out, like the 80- or 90- degree days we’ll have during September here in the South, that food might only be safe for an hour if it’s in an uninsulated bag. Yikes!
But most kids don’t carry their food in brown paper bags anymore, or even those cute metal lunch boxes. “An insulated, soft-sided lunch tote is best for keeping perishable food chilled — especially if you use a cold source in there,” says Dr. Sims.
So the good news is that when you add a cool pack to your child’s insulated lunch box, perishable foods will stay safe to eat for an extra three to four hours.
Whether your “source” is a hard-sided ice pack (the coolest, but also the heaviest) a frozen gel pack, or just a frozen juice box, adding a cooling source to your child’s lunch every day you pack perishables is a must. “While they’re not meant for all day, using an insulated lunch bag with a chill pack will keep food safe well into lunchtime,” says Dr. Sims. Plus, most schools maintain an inside temperature in the 70s, so you don’t risk the accelerated heating time like you might at, say, sports camp.
So I can feel safe tucking in a sandwich with mayo or some sliced fruit instead of relying on packaged, shelf-stable food. Plus, Dr. Sims reminded me, whole fruits like a whole apple or cherries will generally last longer outside of the fridge than cut ones.
Now I just have to make sure she doesn’t try to finish her sandwich in those ravenous moments between getting off the bus and getting dinner onto the table. By then, it’s definitely not safe!
For more information on lunch box safety, visit the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s Fight Bac! site.
The more food you’re packing, the more cold sources you’ll need. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can always DIY one at home by filling an old water bottle up and freezing it. As long as you add a cold source, you should expect your food to stay fresh for up to four hours – just in time for lunch.
So I reached out to Tamika Sims, PhD, director of food technology communications for the International Food Information Council Foundation, to see whether my worries had any grounds or were just paranoia. In short: Yes, this is a real risk.
So I can feel safe tucking in a sandwich with mayo or some sliced fruit instead of relying on packaged, shelf-stable food. Plus, Dr. Sims reminded me, whole fruits like a whole apple or cherries will generally last longer outside of the fridge than cut ones.
So the good news is that when you add a cool pack to your child’s insulated lunch box, perishable foods will stay safe to eat for an extra three to four hours.
For more information on lunch box safety, visit the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s Fight Bac! site.
About four hours go by between the moment she heads out to the bus to when she opens her lunch pack, which is plenty of time for finicky perishable foods — like lunch meat or cut fruit — to get a little too warm for my comfort zone. In pre-k, the classes were small enough that they had a little fridge for the kids, but now that she’s in big girl elementary school, that lunch bag is destined for an un-cool cubby.
When packing your insulated lunch bag, remember to add some hand wipes, so you can clean your hands before eating if there are no facilities nearby. When you return home and empty your bag or box, wipe the insides with hot soapy water and let it air dry so that it is ready for your next adventure.
No matter your age, the end of summer is also a time of beginnings. This means a new school year, new episodes of your favorite TV show and the start of football season.
Perishable foods, such as cold cut sandwiches and yogurt, can be left out at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before they become unsafe to eat. With an insulated lunch box and a chilled freezer gel pack, perishable food can stay cold and safe to eat until lunch. You can find re-usable cold sources at the store (right next to the lunch boxes) or make your own by filling a water bottle or plastic container with water and freezing it. Depending on how much food you are packing you may need several cold sources. Above all, choose a lunch box or tote that is easy to clean.
Packing a hot lunch? Use an insulated container to keep your food hot until lunchtime. Before you warm up your food, fill the container with boiling water and let it stand while you heat your food. Heat your food to at least 165°F, then empty the water out of the insulated container, pack your food and seal it tight. Keep the container closed until lunchtime so the food stays hot. If you are heating a cold entrée in your office kitchen be sure to heat it until it is 165°F, or hot and steaming.
Students, sports fans and outdoor enthusiasts all have one thing in common: packed lunches. However, some people still pack perishable food in an old-fashioned brown paper bag instead of an insulated lunch box. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food is unsafe to be eaten if it’s kept in an old-fashioned brown paper bag longer than 2 hours. Insulated lunch boxes help maintain food at a safe temperature until lunchtime.
How to Use an Ice Pack to Keep School Lunches Fresh!
FAQ
How long will food stay cold in lunch box with ice pack?
How long is an ice pack effective for food?
How long can you leave food in a lunch box?
Is one ice pack enough for lunch box?
How long does an ice pack keep food cold?
The duration an ice pack will keep your lunch cold can vary depending on factors such as the insulation of your lunch box and the surrounding temperature. In general, a well-insulated lunch box with a quality ice pack can keep your food cold for 4-6 hours. Q Are there any foods that shouldn’t be placed directly next to an ice pack in a lunch box?
Can you put food in a lunch box with an ice pack?
Yes, it’s best to avoid placing foods that are sensitive to extreme cold, such as certain fruits and vegetables, directly next to an ice pack. Instead, consider using a barrier like a napkin or placing these items in a separate section of your lunch box. Q Can I put my lunch box with an ice pack in the microwave?
How do you keep food cold in a lunch box?
Insulated, soft-sided lunch boxes or bags are best for keeping food cold, but pack at least two ice sources with perishable food in any type of lunch bag or box you use. Prepare cooked food, such as turkey, ham, chicken, and vegetable or pasta salads, ahead of time to allow for thorough chilling in the refrigerator [40 °F (4.4 °C) or below].
Should you put a cool pack in your child’s lunch box?
“An insulated, soft-sided lunch tote is best for keeping perishable food chilled — especially if you use a cold source in there,” says Dr. Sims. So the good news is that when you add a cool pack to your child’s insulated lunch box, perishable foods will stay safe to eat for an extra three to four hours.