FSM 354: Pack Safe School Lunches in Four Easy Steps

Transcript [music] From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig. It’s back-to-school time. Children, especially younger ones, may be seriously impacted by foodborne illness. This fall, follow these four simple steps for safe school lunches: 1. Plan and prepare lunch together with your child. This reinforces handwashing and builds food safety habits for a lifetime. 2. Choose an insulated, soft-sided lunch box—it’s the easiest way to keep cold food safe. 3. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service advises using a frozen gel pack with a frozen juice box or water bottle, placed above and below perishable items. 4. Remind students and teachers to wash hands before eating. Hand wipes and sanitizers do NOT protect against Norovirus, often called the stomach flu. Thanks for listening to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. [music] Resources: Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Food Safety Should be on Your Back-to-School List. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/food-safety-should-be-your-back-school-list. Accessed online 8/18/25.