How to Ensure Your Bento Lunch is Safe and Good to Eat?
A bento box meal is normally prepared in the morning and meant to be eaten a few hours later during lunchtime. Some people use the previous night dinner leftovers for their bento meal. It is therefore imperative that you take all necessary precautions to retain the edibility of your bento box lunch. Following are some pointers in this regard:
Re-heat leftovers well and cool sufficiently before packing
Packing your bento box with leftovers is a great time-saver but the freshness and edibility of the food are reduced to a great deal. In this context, re-heating is a must as it helps to destroy any micro-organisms that may have begun to develop. Re-heating on a pan is a better option than in a microwave. Try not to use too stale leftovers too.
Avoid raw fish or under-cooked meat
Avoid packing raw-fish sushi into your bento box as you are bound to get sick when you eat the meal hours after it is packed. Certain sushi varieties do have cooked items and such preparation is okay for you to pack into your bento.
Concerning meat, undercooked meat has to be avoided. Chicken and pork have to be cooked thoroughly; on the other hand, it is okay if roast beef remains a bit pink on the inside.
Cook your proteins well, more so during hot summers
You must cook your proteins well before you pack them into your bento box especially during the hotter months. For example, if your bento box content includes plain tofu which is not cooked sufficiently enough then it can become unsafe to eat several hours later.
Keep salads and cooked foods separate
Cooked foods should not be kept alongside raw salads and fruits in the same container. If not done so, the chances of salads and fruits losing their crispness cannot be ruled out. It is best to therefore keep them in separate containers.
Use an icepack if necessary
In extremely hot weather you can be on the safer side by packing an ice pack with your bento lunch box. You can pack a frozen juice carton with your lunch box; this will serve the purpose of an ice pack and will also have defrosted by lunchtime.
Don’t bank on thermal containers for food safety
Thermal containers will ensure that your food remains hot for a longer time than an ordinary lunch box. However, it does not guarantee food safety especially if you pack a soggy and lukewarm lunch into it. For good results, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use frozen or freshly prepared rice if possible
Rice gets spoilt easily due to the presence of moisture in it. It can also turn out hard and dry if it is not cooked properly. It is best to use freshly prepared rice or carry frozen rice in as-is condition in your bento box.
On a Concluding Note
Bento boxes are favourites when it comes to carrying healthy lunches while on the go. Follow the above precautions and you will have the food contents retaining the same taste and flavour as was when packed.
