K-State Research and Extension News Service

As schools resume, so does the resumption of lunch for children. Following food safety measures is essential for parents to prevent foodborne illness, said food scientist Karen Blakeslee of Kansas State University.

“Start by washing your hands,” Blakeslee said. “This can prevent many food safety problems. If you take your lunch to school, keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.”

Blakeslee said parents should remind their children not to share their lunch with other children because of the risk of food allergens. She also suggests packing foods that don’t require temperature control to keep them safe.

“Lots of whole fresh fruit, single-serving fruit cups, whole grain cookies, peanut butter or other nut butters, and dried meat sticks are safe to pack,” Blakeslee said. “When packing cold or hot foods, use ice packs and insulated lunch boxes to keep them cold. If you’re packing hot foods, use a separate insulated container or bottle to keep the food warm.”

In addition, Blakeslee encourages parents to ask their children to help plan school lunches and go grocery shopping with them.

“If they help choose and prepare lunch, they will look forward to eating it,” she said.

Blakeslee, who is also the coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Safety, publishes a monthly newsletter called You Asked It! that offers numerous food safety tips. More information is also available from local Kansas field offices.