Important Back to School Tips for Kid’s Bento Lunch Boxes

Back to School Means Back to Packing Lunches

The summer is winding down and before we know it, our children will be back to school like they never left! For some of us stay at home moms, that’ll give us a much needed breather… phew! For those of us who work in the summer, your routine may not change as much.

Whatever your situation, if you’re the type of parent that packs a lunch for your child(ren) and you use bento lunch boxes for your kids lunches, there are some important food safety tips to keep in mind. But, what exactly are bento lunch boxes?

Bento Lunch Boxes, Explained

History

The word “bento” is derived from the Chinese word biandang, meaning convenient or convenience. A bento is traditionally a Japanese home packed or take out meal, often for lunch. It is a Tupperware- like container that contains different segments for various food to be placed into. The different compartments help to separate the dishes. This ensues that dishes do not mix, especially those with strong flavors.

Structure

Bento boxes come with multiple compartments to help keep food separate. Traditional ones are made from plastic or wood. Modern day ones are sometimes built with materials to assist with insulation such as foil or a double walled construction. This is could be a reason why they’ve gained so much popularity in recent years.

Recent Surge in Popularity and Beyond Back to School

Bento lunch boxes are popular during back to school season and all year ’round. They have become an American household staple item for parents who enjoy packing their kid’s lunch. Video tutorials on social media of parents making lunches for their kids using bento boxes are hard to not see if you consume parenting content.

However, there are some other things to consider behind the cute heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the perfectly packed carrots and dip. Read below to find out three food safety tips to keep in mind when packing your child’s lunch.

3 Back to School Food Safety Reminders for Kid’s Bento Lunch Box

1. Monitor the Temperature

Since lunches are packed ahead before lunchtime, they tend to sit out for a few hours. As discussed above, some bento boxes are made out of wood or plastic. These materials are not designed to keep warm food warm, and cold food cold. In fact, if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, your child’s lunch could enter the “temperature danger zone”.

The temperature danger zone is a temperature range from 40 digress Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the range where bacteria can grow rapidly. It can cause illness, especially in young children or those with weak immune systems. So, if that’s the case will insulated bento boxes fix this?

Insulated bento boxes are designed to keep food at appropriate temperatures for longer time periods. However, it is not a guarantee. The following are tips to help you keep your child’s lunch out of the temperature danger zone.

Temperature Control Tips:

1. If at all possible invest in insulated bento boxes.
2. Additionally, use an insulated lunch bag with an insulated bento box for extra temperature control.
3. When packing lunch, pack hot foods together in one bento box and cold foods together in another one. Make sure cold foods are already cold and hot foods are already hot when placing them in the compartments.
4. Pack cold foods with an ice pack and cool the insulated portion of bento box prior to placing food in them. Do the same with warm foods and make sure to heat the insulated portion according to manufacturer instructions.
5. Check with your child’s classroom and ask if there is a refrigerator available for your child’s lunch box to be stored prior to lunch time.

2. Keep Temperature Sensitive Foods in Mind

Some foods are more sensitive to bacteria growth than others. These are called time/temperature control for safety or TCS foods.

The most common TCS foods include eggs, dairy, meat, fish, shellfish, cooked vegetables, potato dishes, sliced melons, cut leafy greens, cut garlic in oil, raw sprouts, custard or cream, and sliced tomatoes. Keep in mind that when these foods are combined with a non TCS food, that combination dish is now considered a TCS dish.

It is extremely important to keep all food, but especially TCS foods out of the temperature danger zone. Revisit the Temperature Control Tips above to remind yourself on how implement food temperature control.

3. Sharing May Be Caring, But Not Always Safe

About one in thirteen American children deal with food allergies according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A food allergy is a mild or life threatening response to a particular food. Reactions can occur within a few minutes or within a few hours. And while food allergens can occur at any age from any food source, there are a few foods that are very common food allergies.

America’s top nine allergens, known as the “Big 9”, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

While your child may want to share food with their friends, because of the potential risk of allergies, it may not always be a good idea. In fact some schools and childcare facilities have rules about bringing in outside food and about children sharing their food with classmates for this very reason. Explain to your child that it’s fine to share toys and/or school supplies, but food should be off limits.

Share Your Thoughts

If you want to learn more on how to make nutrient packed back to school lunches, check out this blog post. Otherwise, comment down below some kid’s bento box lunch recipes and how these tips will help you keep them safe!

DISCLAIMER: I am a medical professional, but I am not apart of your healthcare team. Always consult with your primary care physician or other medical professional of your healthcare team when making changes your your diet or lifestyle.