Packing a lunch...ice pack or not?

[soccerdad72]

LOL! Yes good point. Same here as well. He loses his lunch bag all the time. I'd be replacing them every day. At that rate, i'd need to order ice packs by the case!

The really fun ones are the lunch bags that make their way back home a few days or a week later -- and still have part of a sandwich left in them.

 

[bcla]

Not one person has said they don't use an ice pack and have gotten sick. I think that says a lot right there. That includes me and my DD.

Also, if the danger zone is 40+ then the ice pack that a PP mentioned that keeps the food at 42-44(?) isn't keeping it safe afterall.

ETA: How many cases of listeria from a non-ice-packed lunch have actually occured? I'll bet it's miniscule.

There's still a difference in growth rate between 42 deg F and 70 deg F. There's no magic temperature - only guidelines. Single numbers are picked only to make things simple for people. I guess a chart with temperature and recommended hours before consumption would cause too many people to just ignore it.

 

[NewRVLady]

Why take a chance? All my years in school ive never had an icepack and never got sick, not once. My son has never had an icepack and i've even packed stuff like tuna sandwiches and yogurt, and guess what? He never gets sick. I think im fine sticking to the way i've been doing it all these years.

YOU live in freezing Canada
I live in hot humid Deep South
I always packed a frozen juice box with their dry turkey sandwich

No way would I send mayo or yogurt without some ice!!!!!

 

[kidshop]

YOU live in freezing Canada
I live in hot humid Deep South
I always packed a frozen juice box with their dry turkey sandwich

No way would I send mayo or yogurt without some ice!!!!!

I know that's what "they" always said, but mayo is actually acidic due the vinegar and is quite stable unless homemade. And yogurt is already full of (good) bacteria so naturally protected against harmful bacteria growing. Warm yogurt is probably one of the safest out of temp foods to eat.

I know it's hard to change those mind sets.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The really fun ones are the lunch bags that make their way back home a few days or a week later -- and still have part of a sandwich left in them.

I know what you mean!! Goodness, im still finding stale sandwiches in his bag, and he's in highschool! One time I found a sandwich a week old. A week!!!! How does this not bother him!?

YOU live in freezing Canada
I live in hot humid Deep South
I always packed a frozen juice box with their dry turkey sandwich

No way would I send mayo or yogurt without some ice!!!!!

Ah yes, your right, big difference. Most of the school year down here its freezing cold. It starts to get chilly in the beginning of Oct and it doesnt start getting slightly warm until May-ish. BTW I like your idea about packing a frozen juice box!!

 

[marcyinPA]

Nope, no ice pack usually. The sandwiches are dry, with processed cold cuts (only the best for my kids! ). That said, I will make your sandwich until middle school (but the kids pack their fruit/snack/drink), but once they get to middle school, they're on their own. Some might enjoy making lunches for their kids - but I don't! When my oldest was young, mornings in our house was obviously chaos, so I learned to delegate.

My DH is up early every morning for work and packs his lunch, so just packs a lunch for DS 15 at the same time. Packed for my college aged DS all through HS too. My kids know how lucky they are! Lol.

 

[FayeW]

I know what you mean!! Goodness, im still finding stale sandwiches in his bag, and he's in highschool! One time I found a sandwich a week old. A week!!!! How does this not bother him!?



Ah yes, your right, big difference. Most of the school year down here its freezing cold. It starts to get chilly in the beginning of Oct and it doesnt start getting slightly warm until May-ish. BTW I like your idea about packing a frozen juice box!!

You responded to this very kindly. I'm glad you answered before I did.