The 7 Most Dangerous Foods To Pack in a Lunch Box

On the surface, packing lunches seems easy enough. Toss in a sandwich or a container of last night's leftovers, and you're good to go, right? Not quite. Those who pack lunches regularly know that a lot more goes into planning. It's important to make sure that you include adequate portions and a variety of nourishing options, but we can't forget about the most significant consideration: food safety .

You may already know that packing perishable lunch items on ice is one of the best ways to make sure they stay safe to eat, but for times when that's not an option—such as field trips or long travel days —it's helpful to know which foods to avoid.

The Riskiest Foods To Put in a Lunch Box Without an Ice Pack

According to the U.S Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the best way to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from a packed lunch is to use an insulated bag and two cold sources. For example, two frozen gel packs, or one ice pack and one frozen water bottle.

The FSIS website states that food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, and only one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) or above. This is because harmful illness-causing bacteria multiply in foods that reach the "danger zone," the temperature between 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) and 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).

That said, when a cold source isn't available, or you don't know when you'll get a break to eat, it's better to err on the side of caution and skip risky foods.

Here's a look at what foods should never be stored in lunch boxes without an ice pack.

• Rice and pasta:Rice and pasta are considered dangerous leftovers due to Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that grows on starchy foods and can rapidly multiply at temperatures in the danger zone. This concern extends to leftovers, such as casseroles that contain these ingredients. If a microwave is available, a better alternative is unopened shelf-stable pouches such as Barilla Ready Pasta or Minute Ready to Serve Rice, both of which cook in just one minute.

• Seafood:Without a reliable cold source, seafood can quickly spoil, grow illness-causing bacteria, and begin to smell bad. This is true for cooked fish and raw dishes, such as sashimi . As an alternative, unopened pouches of tuna or tinned fish are the safest option.

• Deli meat:Although deli meat is processed and often high in sodium, this doesn't mean it is safe to pack without ice. The slices still pose a risk for bacterial growth when in the danger zone. A better option for sandwiches would be using a shelf-stable spread, such as peanut butter with jelly or honey.

• Cheese:Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese , and cream cheese, have a high water content, making them more prone to spoilage. If you know you'll be without a cold source, opt for shelf-stable cheese sticks, such as those that come with beef jerky. Alternatively, opt for a 100 percent cheese snack such as Moon Cheese or ParmCrisps.

• Yogurt:Because yogurt is dairy, it should be placed on an ice pack if it will be without a cold source for more than two hours. However, if bringing it along is a must, packing frozen tubes or shelf-stable yogurt pouches is a better option.

• Hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a convenient and easy way to get in your protein, but if you have been tossing a couple in your bag without ice packs, you'll want to reconsider. Not only can the unpredictable temperature cause the eggs to have an unpleasant odor, but warmth also promotes bacterial growth that can make you sick. Alternatively, consider packing a protein bar or nuts to help hit your macronutrient goals.

• Prepared salads:Salads are easy to take on the go, but skipping the dairy-based dressing doesn't make them fit to pack without ice. This is not only because of components that require refrigeration, such as soft cheese, but also because fresh-cut produce is a greater risk for foodborne illness than its whole counterpart. A better option may be packing a crisp piece of whole fruit and skipping the Caesar salad altogether.

Sack Lunch Options That Don't Require Refrigeration

There are plenty of great meal options that don't require an ice pack. Preportioned pantry items, such as applesauce pouches, fresh fruit with the peel intact, granola bars , and meat sticks, are a great place to start.

Those looking for a more filling meal can opt for nut or sunflower butter sandwiches, muffins , or bagels packed with sealed containers of shelf-stable cream cheese. Additionally, you can opt for individual unopened containers of shelf-stable nacho cheese and salsa with tortilla chips like those you can find at Sam's Club .

So whether you're putting together a work lunch or packing your little one's meals for the very first time, keep this list top of mind. And if you're unsure of what's safe, reference the FSIS's guidelines and always use your best judgment.

Read the original article on Allrecipes