As a parent, you have a significant role in ensuring that lunch boxes provided to your kids are safe and healthy to eat. This is important to consider as children are among the most vulnerable to food poisoning because their immune system is not as effective at fighting off bacteria compared to those of adults.

According to Food and drug administration, food left in the range of temperature between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit is in the “danger zone”, which allows the bacteria to grow most rapidly.

So, when packing a school lunch box to your kids, it is essential to remember that cold foods need to stay cold and hot foods need to stay hot to avoid the development of harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. However, to help prevent bacteria and foodborne illness in children Ameya, the best CBSE school has shared some healthy lunch box ideas and tips that every parent should know.

Tips for Healthy and Safety Food for school Lunch Boxes

In order to make sure your child’s lunch box is safe and healthy until lunchtime, be sure to follow the safety lunch-packing tips mentioned below:

1. Choose an insulated lunch box

   According to food safety organizations, using an insulated lunch box can be one of the most effective ways to keep the food safe. Place an ice pack in the lunch box and put right next to the foods that should be kept cold such as meats, yogurts, cheeses, and salads.

    

2. Pre-chill your child’s lunch

   If you are planning to make a sandwich with cooked meat or deli meat or other pre-made food, try to make it the night before so that it gets chilled enough before you put it into your child’s school lunch box. Also, making lunch the night before is a huge time-saver for busy mornings.

    

3. Throw out leftoversIf

   your child brings home an uneaten yogurt or a partially eaten sandwich or any other food that did not finish, throw it away. Ameya, the best school in Vizag says that any leftover food in your kid’s lunch box has been warm too long and is likely no longer safe to eat.

    

4. Keep lunch bags safe

   Using the same lunch bag for your kid from last year? Food Safety and Inspection Service, recommends replacing lunch bags if there are any splits or tears is better as they could allow bacteria and cause illness. It is also recommended that, use insulated lunch bags to your kids.

    

5. Clean before you pack lunch

   Before beginning to pack your kid’s lunch box, make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Take enough time and wash cutting boards. dishes, countertops before and after preparing food items. Also, it is important to keep your pets away from the kitchen during lunch packing to prevent bacteria.

    

6. Pack a healthy lunch box

   Parents often pack lunches that are less healthy, but a healthy lunch box help children concentrate for longer, learn and play well at school. Packing healthy foods in lunchbox including fresh fruits, vegetables, grain foods, reduced-fat, and meat will also help children to gain physical and mental health.

    

Ameya, the top international school in Vizag advises that it is best to pack lunch just before your child leaves for school. When it comes to freezing, you can freeze some foods for lunches but it is not good to freeze all the ingredients as they are prone to illness.

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