Lunch time at school is a chance for our children to have a break, socialise and recharge, but hazards like junk food, toxic food containers and bacteria can make the lunch box and its content unsafe for children. Recent research shows that 82% of lunchboxes contain foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar. Many food containers and drink bottles used by children in British schools contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has been banned in several countries due to health risks. Another potential danger with lunch boxes is the bacteria that can grow in food when it is left unrefrigerated for extended period of times. However, these ‘dangers’ can easily be avoided by making a few changes to how we pack our children’s lunches.

 

 

Content
With strict guidelines now in place for school meals it seems that packed lunches are lacking behind as only 1% of lunchboxes meet the same nutritional standards.  According to a recent research, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, only one in five packed lunches contain any vegetables or salad and only about half of them include an item of fruit.
By cutting down on processed food and pre-packed snacks and increase the portions of vegetables, salads and fruit, children would get more of the goodness they need to keep concentration levels high as well as encouraging healthy eating habits.

Packaging
The most likely sources of reoccurring BPA exposure are from some reusable water bottles, baby bottles, canned foods and plastic food storage containers. Various research carried out globally suggest that levels of BPA found in our bodies, and particularly in young children, are high enough to produce lasting negative health effects.

Possible negative effects of BPA exposure to humans include lowered sperm count and infertility, early puberty in children, resistance to insulin and behavioural changes. Some countries have banned the use of BPA in baby milk bottles, children’s products and even in food contact plastics. Those wishing to lower their everyday exposure to BPA, should avoid canned food and invest in BPA free drinking bottles and food containers.

Storage
A lunchbox left in a warm classroom can by midday be a breeding ground for food poisoning bacteria. As a child unpacks its content at lunchtime the lunch box can contain millions of bacteria, enough to make him/her ill with food poisoning. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach-ache. Make sure the lunch is kept refrigerated until it is time to go and pack a small non toxic ice pack. Alternatively freeze yoghurt or a drink and let it defrost inside the lunchbox. Soft insulated lunch bags or boxes are best for keeping lunches chilled. Be extra careful on days that the lunchbox contain perishable food like: meat, tuna, chicken and egg as these foods are potential targets for food poisoning bacteria.

My Friendly Lunchbox is a recently launched website for everyone who is interested in packing a lunch that is healthy and safe for our children but also kind to the environment. All lunch boxes, bottles, wrappers and food containers are free from BPA, lead and phthalates and make it easy to pack a waste free lunch.