Make the Food Safety Honor Roll This School Year

Parents and caregivers should take extra precautions when preparing and packing a school lunch. Flunking in food safety is not an option, especially when children are most vulnerable to foodborne illness.

USDA has some tips for parents and caregivers that will help them make the food safety honor roll.

Keep Cold Foods Cold and Hot Foods Hot

If preparing lunch the night before school and refrigerating overnight, take the bag or lunchbox out just before leaving home. Pack just the amount of perishable food that can be eaten at lunchtime. That way, there won't be a problem about the storage or safety of leftovers.

Remember the Four Steps to the Food Safety Honor Roll

Clean—Wash hands with soapy water for 20 seconds before touching food.

Separate—Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat food.

Cook—Use a food thermometer to know your meat and poultry are fully cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Chill—Refrigerate foods promptly. Discard foods left at room temperature for over 2 hours.

For more information, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email [email protected] to reach a food safety specialist or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.