Keeping Lunch Box Foods Safe

Cold dishes (salads, sandwiches, milk products, leftovers or frozen dinners). These dishes can be placed next to an ice pack, a small juice box or flavoured milk that have been kept in the freezer overnight. They can also be placed in an insulated container that has been cooled down in the fridge. Another tip: Prepare your lunch box the night before so that all foods (even the non-perishable ones, such as muffins or fruit) are kept refrigerated throughout the night. These fully cooled items will keep everything in your lunch box fresher for a longer period of time.

Hot dishes (soups, ready-made meals or hot drinks). These dishes can be heated up in the morning and then transferred directly to insulated (Thermos®) containers that have been preheated with boiling water. Wide-mouth insulated containers are designed for solid foods, while small-mouth containers are meant for soups or hot drinks. The best ones are made out of stainless steel, as they do not break and are very efficient.

At school or at work, it is best to keep your lunch box in a refrigerator. If this is not possible, ensure at least that your lunch box does not sit in direct sunlight or next to a radiator or other heat source.

When you get home, throw out any leftover food that has not been kept in the fridge. Insulated containers and ice packs will keep food safe until lunch time; note, however, that they are not designed to keep food fresh for an entire day.