Lunch Box Safety: What Germs are in Your Kid's Bag?
Eco-friendly, reusable lunch bags are making "brown bagging it" a near obsolete trend, but recent research suggests that harmful bacteria may be festering in these green bags.
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What's In Your Bag?
A 2011 study published in Food Protection Trends found that reusable grocery bags are seldom washed and often harbor nasty bacteria, including e.coli. Reusable lunch bags have the same potential for collecting germs.
Insulated lunch bags protect food better, says Vandana R. Sheth, RD, CDE Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, but they're no guarantee. Read on for our tips to make sure your child's lunch bag remains as clean (and green) as possible.
Wash Bags Weekly
Continuous Chill
Keep the Heat
Eliminate Moisture
Food Safety 101
Wash Fruits and Veggies
Antibacterial Eats
Armed with Information
The Wrap-Up
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