Back-To-School Lunch Box Tips

Wow – a surprising week when the FDA decides to ignore their country’s best scientists and what other Countries (Canada being one) have agreed that the chemical BPA should be declared ‘dangerous’ to use in the production of baby bottles and children’s products. Food and Drug Administration scientists said the trace amounts of bisphenol A that leach out of food containers are not a threat to infants or adults. The agency acknowledged that more research is needed to fully understand the chemical’s effects on humans, and noted “there are always uncertainties associated with safety decisions.” I’ll say it again….WOW.

For parents and back-to-school consumers that are concerned and educated about plasticizers and chemicals that may be lurking in products used by children, here is a timely report on Back To School Lunch Boxes 101 from:
SFKids.org, Laure Latham

These tips about lead, PVC-free, vinyl-free, and phthalate-free lunch labels surrounding your child’s lunch box/bag is extra timely for Mommy Footprint readers because alternatives to traditional lunch kits will be the upcoming prizes for our back-to-school contests. Stay tuned for details – you don’t want to miss out on these contests!

Back to School: Lunch Boxes 101
Six things you’ll want to think about when it comes to lunch:

• Check for “lead safe” or even better “lead free” labels.

• Check for “PVC-free”, “Vinyl-free” or “phthalates-free” labels.

• If you find none of the above, avoid soft vinyl bags and avoid bags with additional chemicals such as anti-bacterial claims (Microban is one of them).

• If your chosen bag offers no labels, store or wrap all your child’s food individually to avoid contact with the interior lining. Remind your kids to wash their hands before and after lunch.

• To reduce waste, choose re-usable containers and use your own silverware and napkins.

• Don’t refill disposable water bottles. The best choice are stainless steel reusable water bottles.

More details on these nasty chemicals?  Read on…

Why is lead is so dangerous for children? There is no safe level for lead with children,” says Tracey Woodruff, Associate Professor and Director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences of UCSF. “In terms of ranking of toxic substances, it’s not as high a concern as other things, but we don’t know how children are handling their lunch bags.”

Vinyl and PVC. PVC (or vinyl) is often referred to as the poison plastic because its production is incredibly polluting and because it includes toxic chemicals such as phthalates and lead. These chemicals can in turn leach out or evaporate and affect your child’s health. So whenever you can, avoid PVC in your child’s life. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has put together a list of manufacturers offering vinyl-free lunchboxes*:
Reusablebags.com offers several vinyl-free lunchboxes:
Organic and regular cotton bags:
“Lunchbugs” cloth lunch bags
CoolTotes insulated bags
EarthPak bags made from recycled soda bottles
SIGG Kids Bags
Lunch Pak by Fleurville
Laptop Lunch Kit
byo lunchbag® by BuiltNY
World of Good offers a hand-woven reed lunchbox and is committed to fair trade.
Mimi the Sardine offers vinyl-free water-proof lunchbags online.
Progressive Kid offers EarthPak bags for sale on their website and are committed to social responsibility  and environmental awareness.
*This list is not necessarily all-inclusive.

There will be more articles involving back-to-school lunch packing alternatives and I will personally be testing these products with my kids and family to see what lunch ‘systems’ are easy and safe to use.   For more information on phthalates and back-to-school green supplies, visit:

Back-To-School Green School Supplies

Parabens – Moms Should Check Their Cosmetics

Phthalates Are Making Big News With US Ban

A ‘Green’ Way to Raise Money For Schools