Avoid Vinyl Lunch Boxes
August 20, 2008 by Peggy
Karen’s recent lunch box post at Thrifty Mommy reminded me of the importance of avoiding soft vinyl lunch boxes.
If you can find a soft lunch box that’s PVC-free, go for it. If it doubt, look elsewhere. Karen found cute PVC-free lunch boxes at both Target and Wal-Mart.
Lunch boxes made of PVC may be dangerous because many of them have tested positive for high levels of lead in the recent past. In response, many companies have cleaned up their acts.
It never hurts to be on the safe side, especially when you’re talking about something that will hold your child’s lunch day after day.
According to CEH, vinyl lunch boxes purchased before 2006 should be tested for lead. You may purchase a lead test kit at most hardware stores. The one pictured here is from Ace.
Stay tuned for some metal lunch boxes!
Image via Ace Hardware.
Thanks for the link love. I saw some metal lunch boxes at Wal-Mart. I thought most schools had banned them, but maybe not. Reminds me of the Holly Hobbie lunch box I used to have. lol
You’re welcome Karen. I haven’t heard of the metal lunch box bans. Why would they do that?
I think it’s because some kids were hitting one another with them.
The PVC free lunch boxes at Target were all treated with the chemical microban. No thank you.
Amy, reusablebags.com has some soft PVC-free lunch bags, but they’re sold out at the time. They expect them to be available soon.
I haven’t personally seen the soft ones at Target.