K-State food safety expert gives advice for safe and healthy school lunches

As youths are heading back to school across Kansas, many parents and students will go back to packing lunches.

But how do you get the most bang for your buck while also staying safe and healthy?

Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said following food safety procedures is essential for parents to help to prevent such foodborne illnesses as salmonella and food poisoning.

Lunch packing safety tips

Blakeslee said the first important step is washing hands before any food prep happens.

“This can prevent many food safety issues," Blakeslee said in a written statement. "If taking lunch to school, keep cold food cold, and hot food hot.”

To prevent triggering other people's food allergies, Blakeslee said parents should remind their kids to not share their lunches with other kids.

She also recommends packing foods that don’t require temperature control to keep them from spoiling.

“Many whole fresh fruits, single serve fruit cups, whole grain crackers, peanut butter or other nut butters, and dried meat sticks are safe to pack,” Blakeslee said in a written statement. “If packing cold or hot food, use ice packs and insulated lunch containers to keep them cold. If taking hot food, use a separate insulated container or bottle to keep that food hot.”

Additionally, Blakeslee said parents should ask kids to be more involved by taking them grocery shopping and asking them to help plan their school lunches.

“If they help choose and prepare the lunch, they will be excited to eat it,” Blakeslee said.

What to put in your school lunches?

Trying to find what to pack for lunch shouldn't have to be difficult or be simply reheating dinner leftovers.

Some lunches can even get prepped all at once. Like making a batch of pasta salad with a shaped pasta, a salad dressing and tons of veggies tossed in.

Another lunch option could be burrito roll-up s. Spread refried beans on a street taco size soft flour tortilla. Then add grated Mexican cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and any other desired burrito toppings. After combining, roll it all up and serve with a little cup of salsa or guacamole on the side.

The options for what you can pack in a lunch area endless, as long as they are packaged safely. Find what works best for you and pack up.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: K-State food safety expert gives advice for safe and healthy school lunches