Most children take lunch from home to school every day. My own packed lunch usually contained a turkey sandwich, juice box, pretzels, and a cheery note from mom.  That's why I was surprised to hear that when the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) tested lunchboxes last August, they found that packing a lunch with perishable items like cold cuts could pose a safety risk.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that food can be unrefrigerated (above 40°) for two hours and still be okay to eat. None of the lunch boxes tested at GHRI was able to keep a typical lunch cold for longer than two hours, even with two small freezer packs tucked in. While this might not be problematic for kids who eat within four hours of getting on the bus, those who leave the house at 7 could be eating lunch at noon or even one o'clock, which is 5 or 6 hours later. Turns out filling a lunchbox with items that don't require refrigeration is the best option for eating a safe lunch. GHRI has some good advice on what to pack.  Read More