Lead in Lunch Bags?!

MissPrint · #1 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 07:41 AM

Since puchasing an insulated lunch bag for my daughter to take to kindy, I have heard they contain lead

While it is supposed to be only some that contain lead, I was wondering whether anyone knows how/where I could find out specific manufacturers that have products containing lead so I can avoid them.

Also, if you have some good suggestions on how to keep kids lunches fresh/cool I'd love to hear them

hanabi · #2 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 07:50 AM

I think Snopes had good information on this issue.

The lead comes out with wear and tear. Best not have food in contact with it. If you use a lunch box or lunch wrap within the cooler bag, you should have no issues with lead leaching into food. I think the lead levels are low, but yeah, there should be some kind of warning - I agree.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/lunchbox.asp

tamarab30 · #3 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 07:56 AM

I just heard on the radio this morning that the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane have had testing done and there are abnormal amounts of lead in the air surrounding the hospital. Any long-term patients will be offered testing. How sad and scary

**Nyree** · #4 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 11:17 AM

I'm guessing the lead in in the vinyl, as lead is used in its manufacture. (Ahhh....look at that - reading snopes & it mentions the vinyl!)

Between that & the pthalates in vinyl (endocrine disruptors), they are best avoided.

We were getting a quote for our new Kitchen & bathroom cabinets the other day. The guy was surprised when I said "No" to 'tough, easy-care' vinyl wrapped doors.

Anyway, as the Snopes site said, get yourself a lead test kit (from the paint dept) from a hardware store to test the bag you have.

2shinyboys · #5 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 11:47 AM

You can buy some lunch boxes that come with sml drink bottles inside - if you fill that with water and freeze it then put it in the box it keeps the food cold and you have a cool drink by lunch time.

Meridith · #6 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 12:27 PM

*groan*

We have one for DD - it's only ever to contain the icebrick and other containers (plastic

) of food. Everything in life seems so dangerous!

sudevi · #7 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 01:03 PM

thermos make a container specifically for food, I think it is stainless steel, it's called a foogo, and it's BPA free

Xine · #8 (**permalink**) 27-01-2008, 06:25 PM

Ahhhhhhh....what is happening to this world.
I just went to hardware shop to get lead test pack and saw they were $30. Decided that it was probably more sensible to ditch the vinyl lunch box and buy a plastic one. Any dangers in that?
I am quite curious to know how it would have tested though. Has anyone done one. Ours was an Oz brand called Smash.

emd · #9 (**permalink**) 27-01-2008, 07:56 PM

Oh dear. I used to send my girls to childcare with their EBM bottles in one of those style lunch bags. They still use those bags at childcare, but only to hold their spare clothes.

For a lead-free alternative, I used to pack my food in a plastic lunchbox with a frozen drink as an ice brick, then wrap it in a spare t-shirt or tea towel to insulate, then put it in my big bag. The bonus is that you've also got a clean shirt if you spill beetroot down your front (like I always do - you'd think I'd stop putting it in my salad sandwiches).

Artemis · #10 (**permalink**) 31-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Oh bugger we just bought one for starting prep. Lots of the other children have mini esky things that look good. Might have to invest in one. Luckily all of her food has been in containers so far.