A packed lunch that won't make your child sick

Don't let bacteria be the surprise in the school lunch you pack for your child. Kansas State University food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee says your child's sack lunch could encourage bacterial growth if cold foods are not kept cold. She recommends packing foods that don't need to be refrigerated, such as peanut butter.

"Use some whole wheat bread, or spread the peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla and that way they get the nutrition but it doesn't need to be refrigerated," said Blakeslee.

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Ice packs, frozen juice boxes and frozen water bottles are some of the ways to help keep food cold without a refrigerator.

Keeping your child's food hot or cold is not the only concern for school lunchtime, especially if they have food allergies. To keep everyone safe, Blakeslee says children should only eat what they pack for lunch. 

"Kids really should not swap foods around, you know, if they pack a lunch and they want to try and trade foods they may run the risk of causing an allergic reaction," she explained.

Before beginning to pack lunches, the USDA says you need to make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

Also, wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next item.

For more advice on keeping bag or sack lunches safe for your kids, go to USDA.gov.