10 how long is food safe in insulated bag Ideas

*Data is based on The Big Chill Cooler available at Quality Logo Products®. This lunch bag was at room temperature. Results may vary based on the type of lunch bag, the amount of food inside, the ice pack being used, and the temperature outside.

Your lunch bag or box will stay cold for about two hours, but you don’t want to push it. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the bacteria danger zone is between 40°F and 140°F. Your lunch bag can easily climb into that zone if it’s left sitting too long without refrigeration.

If you don’t have access to a refrigerator, splurge on a bag that’s put in the freezer overnight or a high-end Yeti cooler. You want to do whatever it takes to ensure your bag is as cold as possible.

Do Insulated Lunch Bags Need to Be Refrigerated?

An insulated lunch bag needs be refrigerated, especially if you don’t plan on eating for over two hours. This will keep your food nice and safe until it’s officially lunchtime!

It makes sense to put your lunch bag in the chilliest place you can find. Your typical refrigerator sits at a cool 35°F, which is well outside of the bacteria danger zone. A lunch full of meat, dairy, or any other perishable foods should go in that chilly box as soon as possible!

Where Does the Ice Pack Go in Your Lunch Bag?

Some lunch bags or boxes have a dedicated space specifically for your ice pack. The ice pack should go in this area, in a zippered pocket inside the bag, or at the very least, somewhere inside of the bag.

There are articles that say you should put the ice pack on the top of the food. Others swear the bottom of the bag is better. Either way, your best bet is to make sure you have an ice pack somewhere in your lunch bag or box as you travel. And then as soon as you can, be sure to put that bag in the refrigerator!

• 

  Meat

• 

  Poultry

• 

  Seafood

• 

  Eggs

• 

  Fruits and Vegetables

• 

  Dairy

According to Julie A. Albrecht, a food specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the full list of perishable foods includes:

• Meat
• Poultry
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Raw Fruits & Vegetables
• Dairy Products

Be sure to pack your lunch the night before if you are planning on having any of these foods for lunch. It gives your food a head start in staying cold.

Peanut Butter & Jelly

This lunchtime classic is great if you don’t have refrigeration available. If it gets boring, try using almond butter, different flavored jams, or adding sliced bananas into the sandwich.

Dried Meat

Pepperoni, salami, and jerky are all fair game for lunch time. You can add these dried meats to breads or pitas and spread on condiments like spicy mayo or ranch for a truly tasty meal.

Hummus & Veggie Wrap

Pitas are a delicious substitute for bread and are perfect for hummus and veggies. There are a ton of different hummus flavors out there, so explore your options and pick the one you are most excited to try.

Pasta Salad

Cold noodles that are covered with vegetable oil and seasonings are a great non-refrigerated lunch. Mix in black olives, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Ham and Cheddar Muffin

Bake these savory lunch muffins ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Add the muffin to your bag in the morning, and it will be thawed and ready to eat by lunchtime.

Skewers

Shish kabobs are really easy to make and can be super tasty for lunch. Stick with foods that don’t have to be refrigerated like hard salami, cherry tomatoes, and tiny pieces of bread.

Grain Bowls

Grains, like quinoa, brown rice, and couscous, are great for lunch time. They don’t require refrigeration and can be mixed with other safe foods like lentils and chickpeas.

*Disclaimer: Always check the labels and make sure you’re using foods that do not require refrigeration. Use your own discretion when making these meals. It’s always better to make sure you’re eating safe foods.

The Bottom Line

Your health should always come first. Be smart about how you travel with your lunch bag, and take extra care to keep all the food inside nice and cold. Bon appétit!

References

Miller, T. (2019, May 14). What Temperature Should You Keep Your Refrigerator Set at? Retrieved from,
https://lifehacker.com/what-temperature-should-you-keep-your-refrigerator-set-533534221

Freedman, L. (2017, August 3). 5 Lunch Boxes That Will Keep Your Lunch Cold All Day. Retrieved from,
https://www.thekitchn.com/5-easy-steps-to-keep-your-lunch-box-clean-throughout-the-week-247061

United States Department of Agriculture. Keeping “Bag” Lunches Safe. Retrieved from,
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/

Klahre, A. (2018, August 31). What a Food-Safety Pro Wishes You Knew About Packing Your Lunch. Retrieved from,
https://www.thekitchn.com/lunch-box-food-safety-tips-260081

Wikihow. (2019, March 29). How to Keep Your Lunch Box Cold. Retrieved from,
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Lunch-Box-Cold

Alfaro, D. (2019, July 12). Lunch Boxes and Lunch Bag Safety. Retrieved from,
https://www.thespruceeats.com/food-safety-sanitation-4162203

Klemm, S. (2019, March 7). Keeping Your Lunch Safe. Retrieved from,
https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/safe-food-storage/keeping-your-lunch-safe

Chemical Safety Facts. Keeping Lunch Cool: The Chemistry of Lunch Boxes. Retrieved from,
https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/keeping-lunch-cool-the-chemistry-of-lunchboxes/

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2019, May 23). How to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Food Safety. Retrieved from,
https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/how-cut-food-waste-and-maintain-food-safety

McCauley, T. How to Safely Pack a Hot or Cold School Lunch. Retrieved from,
https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/how-to-safely-pack-a-hot-or-cold-school-lunch/

Business Wire. Lunch Box Report Card: Majority of Kids in Grades 3-12 Give Their Lunch on a Typical School Day a ‘C’ Grade or Lower. Retrieved from,
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130731005339/en/Lunch-Box-Report-Card-Majority-Kids-Grades

Lou, L. (2016, July 18). This is What Americans are Doing During Their Lunch Breaks. Retrieved from,
https://www.pastemagazine.com/food/lunch-break/

Food Network. Locker-Friendly Foods for Your Kid’s (or Your) Lunchbox. Retrieved from,
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/back-to-school/locker-friendly-foods-for-your-kids–or-your–lunchbox

Foster, K. (2018, August 22). 10 Easy Lunches that Don’t Need to Be Refrigerated. Retrieved from,
https://www.thekitchn.com/non-refrigerated-lunch-ideas-260361

Hawes, J. (2011, October 21). Lunches You Don’t Have to Refrigerate. Retrieved from,
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/news/2011/02/23/lunches-you-don-t-have/985761007/

Keane, S. (2019, January 21). 18 Meal Prep Recipes for When You Have No Fridge or Microwave at Work. Retrieved from,
https://workweeklunch.com/no-fridge-or-microwave/

Albrecht, J. Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Safe Food Storage. Retrieved from,
https://food.unl.edu/free-resource/food-storage