Packing a healthy school lunch is just one of the many things on the minds of parents as the new school year begins. During the morning rush, the safety of that packed lunch can easily be overlooked. Public health officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) want to remind parents that it’s important to practice food safety when preparing a lunch to send to school.
The good news is there are many healthy choices to pack in a lunch which usually are safe choices, too. Most fruits and vegetables do not spoil at room temperature and low-fat milk is available in boxes that don’t need refrigeration until opened.
“For the safety of our kids, it’s important to remember these basic steps in the rush of the morning,” said OSDH Interim Consumer Health Director Lynnette Jordan. “You can even prepare the night before by setting out the non-refrigerated foods so you can focus on packing the safest lunch in the morning. Remember to start clean, keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot through the lunch period.”
OSDH recommends the following tips to keep your healthy lunch a safe lunch:
For more information about food safety, visit the OSDH website at www.health.ok.gov and type the words “food safety” in the search box.
Last Modified on
Jun 03, 2022
