For the last two years, I’ve packed a lunch for my older son every day. With my youngest son about to start kindergarten, I will be doubling that daily chore. As if it’s not hard enough deciding if I’m packing too little (or too much) and if the meal is nutritious and well-balanced,
now I also have to worry about filling their lunch boxes with potentially tummy-ache causing food, too.
Honestly, I’ve never given much thought to the temperature of their food. They get sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, chips and granola bars, as well as items like cheese and yogurt (and, of course,
water to drink). I figured: “Eh. They’re boys. They don’t care if their food is warm. They eat anything.”
Man, was I wrong!
A study released last week found that 98 percent of perishable food in preschoolers’ sack lunches reached unsafe temperatures even before lunchtime.
Researchers at the University of Texas examined 700 lunches packed for 3 to 5 year olds attending child care centers and found that the food was not packed to stay cold (or hot) enough to prevent bacteria from growing.
Even with multiple ice packs, most of the perishable foods had reached an unsafe..
