Back to School Lunch Safety

Below is a quick list of common foods that are safe storing in a lunch box at room temperature:

• Canned meat or poultry products, opened and eaten immediately
• Dried meats such as beef jerky
• Crisp cooked bacon
• Peanut Butter
• Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss or American
• Clean, well scrubbed fruits and vegetables
• Breads, crackers, cereals
• Baked products such as cookies and cakes

Use special care with high protein, moist, and low acid foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and fresh milk products, or dishes containing these ingredients. Your safest choice is to use these only when refrigeration is available, next best is to pack the sandwich filling in a separate insulated container and build the sandwich at lunchtime.