BY THE CHRONICLE STAFF

As students head back to school in the upcoming weeks, many parents and caregivers are focused on homework, healthy meals and getting everyone to school on time.

The Logan County Health District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are also encouraging parents to take a closer look at the lunches they’re packing for their children each day, keeping practical food safety tips in mind.

The lunchbox you pack can make a big difference in keeping your child’s meal safe to eat. Whether you’re sending a turkey sandwich or last night’s soup, a well-packed lunchbox helps protect your little ones from foodborne illness.

Does your lunchbox pass the test?

Is it insulated?

An insulated lunchbox helps keep perishable items like meat, poultry, and dairy products cold until lunchtime.

Is it large enough to fit two cold sources?

Pick a lunchbox that fits at least two cold sources like gel packs, frozen water bottles or frozen juice boxes. Place one cold item above the food and one below to keep everything at a safe temperature.

Is it better than a paper bag?

Brown paper bags do not keep food cold. As cold items thaw, the bag weakens and loses its ability to hold in cold air. Stick with an insulated bag to keep food out of the temperature Danger Zone, which is between 40 and 140 degrees F.

Are you packing hot food?

Use an insulated container for hot meals like soup or chili. Before packing, fill a container with boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour out the water, add the hot food, and seal the container until lunchtime.

Looking for extra credit?

Clean and sanitize your lunchbox every day to remove crumbs, spills, and bacteria that can lead to foodborne illness.

For more information about food safety, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email [email protected]. ■