Food poisoning is serious business. In a lot of cases it can mean nothing more than an upset stomach for a day or so, but it can also be very severe and result in hospitalisation. With picnic season upon us, and kids needing packed lunches throughout the school year, Ala’a Al Ashoush gives us a run down of how to pack food safely.
What precautions should we take when packing food for our kids?
Children’s immune systems are not developed enough to resist certain types of bacteria, so they are more likely to fall sick as a result of eating contaminated foods. You need to bear in mind the fact that food can get contaminated through many different channels. Handling it too much during preparation, allowing it to come into contact with dirty surfaces, and even airborne contaminants such as insects, can all result in food turning bad. Some popular types of picnic foods are also more likely to turn – usually those containing more proteins, like egg, for example.
What labels can we look out for on packaging or food to help us pack it safely?
Before selecting the packaging material, look for the usage instructions made by the manufacturer and the special precautions or warnings such as: ‘not safe for microwaves’ and the food grade symbol.
What are the common mistakes parents make when packing school lunchboxes?
Parents often don’t pay attention to the separation of food inside the lunchbox. It is a good idea to pack things separtely so that liquids don’t get into your sandwich, for example. It is also important in our climate to make sure items like meats and cheeses are put in a cooler box, since these foods in particular will make your child sick if they are contaminated or turn bad.
How can I ensure food stays safe when my child is at school?
Only use good quality, fresh ingredients to prepare your kids’ meals. Avoid using processed meat, unpasteurized cheese, fish and fresh milk in your child’s lunch box, as these types of food are very easily contaminated.
How can I make sure that leftovers are packed safely?
Keeping food at the right temperature is very important. If you are cooling hot food for a packed lunch box, cool it quickly in a shallow container, and once steaming stops, cover with cling film and store it in the fridge. Store the food in the fridge within 90 minutes of it having been cooked. The top shelf of the fridge is the coolest, and therefore recommended, place for leftovers. If you are serving hot food, keep it hot in a flasked container. Warm environments help harmful bacteria to grow.
Are there any golden rules that we always need to follow?
Separate the items. Don’t reuse disposable packing materials, instead buy special containers that can be washed and reused to save the environment and prevent upset tummies. Make sure they are air-tight, and remember to remove air from the zipper bags before locking.
Are all plastics safe to use with food? Can I use them all in the microwave?
Plastics are grouped into seven different families, and each family has various properties and uses. Plastic materials that are intended for use with food should carry a food grade symbol. Most plastics are not microwave safe. The plastic which is safe in the microwave is labelled PP on the container, and it is able to resist higher temperatures.
Ala’a’s top six tips
1 Foods that are high in protein are more prone to contamination. That means processed meats, eggs and unpasteurized dairy products.
2 Use proper containers. Make sure they are well washed and air tight.
3 Maintain temperatures, either with cooler packs or hot flasks.
4 Avoid handling the food too much during preparation.
5 Don’t prepare food more than a day before it is to be eaten.
6 Frozen picnic items should be defrosted in the fridge and then stored in a cooler box.
Did you know?
The humble watermelon and even the cantaloupe are common culprits of food poisoning. Salmonella and shigella bacterias are often present on the rind. Therefore, washing them thoroughly before cutting, and then refrigerating the cut pieces, is important. Melons, unlike most other fruits, are not acidic and therefore promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
Want to learn more?
Kidville run Pack it Safe food safety workshops in association with Al Bayader and Dubai Municipality. Parents and care givers are given live demonstrations plus mini-quizzes and a Q&A session will be part of the workshops, to ensure attendees leave informed and prepared to handle food safely.
Workshops are scheduled in Dubai. For more information visit www.mykidville.ae.
