USDA recommends adding food safety to back-to-school list

In a recent news release, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that back-to-school shoppers include food safety items on your shopping list to keep school lunches safe. “Every day, parents focus on the health and safety of their children, and this focus includes how they prepare and pack lunches,” said Sandra Eskin, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the USDA. “Because children are particularly at risk for serious foodborne illness, food safety must be at the top of the list when preparing lunches for school and field trips.”

 

Consider the following for your shopping list:

 

· Clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils: Clean your prep area before you start that school lunch. A recent USDA study (PDF, 102 KB) showed that cross-contamination was prevalent in the kitchen during food prep. Therefore, be sure to wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with soap and after preparing each food item and before proceeding to the next item. A homemade bleach-based solution of one tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach to one gallon of water can be used to sanitize surfaces and utensils in the kitchen.