A clean lunchbox keeps food safe

Schoolchildren should start each day with a clean lunch bag or box to help prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, according to a food safety expert. Insulated, vinyl lunch bags are most effective in keeping foods cool and fresh during the day, and when kids get home from school, parents or caregivers should clean the bags with warm soapy water, and allow them to dry completely overnight, said Rutgers University professor Don Schaffner, an extension specialist in food science…"When you’re packing a school lunch, it’s important to think about the perishability of the foods you’re making," Schaffner said in an institute news release. "Perishable foods can remain at room temperature for no more than two hours – one in the summer due to the heat."