Foods that must be kept cold in a packed lunch

Anything you take out of the refrigerator and put into your lunch must be kept cold:

• Meat sandwich
• Tuna or egg salad sandwich
• Milk, cheese, or yogurt
• Canned fruit that has been opened
• Fresh vegetables

Foods that don’t need to be kept cold in a packed lunch:

• Peanut butter sandwich
• Cookies, crackers, chips
• Fresh fruit (in the peel)
• Unopened cans of fruit, pudding

Freeze sandwiches to keep them safe. They will thaw by lunch but will stay cold enough to be safe. Lettuce and other greens don’t freeze well. Pack these separately and add to your sandwich before you eat.

Types of freezer packs

When refrigeration isn’t possible, there are ways to keep a lunch cold. You can:

• Buy a commercial gel pack. There are several types and sizes available.
• Freeze water in a rigid, leakproof plastic freezer container. Be sure to leave room for the water to expand as it freezes.
• Put ice cubes in a leakproof freezer container.
• Freeze a juice box. It will keep the lunch cold and be thawed to drink at lunchtime.

More packed lunch tips… Make sure that cold foods are thoroughly chilled before packing with a freezer pack. Pack cold and frozen foods together. This keeps the food colder longer. Add a freezer pack to keep “cold food cold” until lunch. Pack a handwashing wipe with the lunch in case soap and water aren’t available. Always prepare foods with clean hands, clean equipment and in a clean work area. Pack the lunch in a clean container. Wash out lunch boxes with warm water and soap after every use. Use only clean paper bags.

Adapted from Pack Facts, developed by Operation RISK, Michigan State University.