Washington, DC, - Back-to-school season is a great time for parents and families to learn how to pack a safe, bacteria-free lunch for their children.

• Wash everything! Your hands, fruits and vegetables, food preparation surfaces and utensils. Teach your children to wash their hands before lunch. Use hot and soapy water to effectively get rid of BACteria.
• Keep cold foods COLD. Use freezer gel packs and an insulated lunch box to keep foods cold until lunchtime. Freeze single-sized juice packs overnight to keep lunches cold; the juice will thaw by lunchtime.
• Keep hot foods HOT. Insulated bottles will keep soup, chili or stew hot until lunch. Fill the bottle with boiling water and let it stand for a few minutes to make the insulation hot. Empty the bottle, fill it with the hot food and keep closed until lunchtime.
• Inform your children. Tell them to use the refrigerator at school or keep their lunch away from heat sources in the classroom such as direct sunlight or radiators.
• Pack shelf-stable foods. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, peanut butter sandwiches, packaged pudding and canned fruits or meats.