Lunch Boxes and Lunch Bags in the UAE Heat: How to Keep Food Safe

A packed lunch in the UAE often sits for four or five hours before it is eaten, sometimes in a hot classroom, car or office. Choosing the right lunch box and bag, and packing them well, keeps food fresh and safe.

Lunch box or lunch bag? You need both

The lunch box holds the food and keeps it from getting squashed or leaking. The lunch bag is the insulated layer around it that keeps it cold. A lunch box on its own, even a good one, warms up quickly in the heat.

What to look for in a lunch box

• Leak-proof seals for yoghurt, salads and sauces
• Compartments (bento style) so food doesn't go soggy
• BPA-free plastic or stainless steel
• Easy-open lids for younger children
• Dishwasher-safe parts, because you will wash it every day

What to look for in a lunch bag

• Proper insulation with a lined, wipe-clean interior
• Room for an ice pack next to the lunch box
• The right size: too much empty space warms up faster
• Separate space for a drink or a bottle strap on the outside

How to pack a lunch that is still fresh at noon

1. Make it the night before and refrigerate it overnight.
2. Add an ice pack or a frozen water bottle in the morning.
3. Pack cold items together, and keep the bag closed until lunch.
4. Ask whether the school or office has a fridge you can use.

Food safety reminder: cold food should stay at 4°C or below. Without insulation and an ice pack, perishable food left out for more than two hours, or more than one hour above 32°C, isn't safe to eat.

Lunch ideas that travel well

• Wholemeal wraps with chicken or halloumi
• Pasta salad with olive oil, vegetables and cheese
• Hummus with vegetable sticks and pita
• Hard-boiled eggs, cheese cubes and crackers
• Fruit that doesn't brown quickly: grapes, berries, oranges

For adults

The same rules apply at work. An insulated bag with an ice pack means you can bring a proper lunch instead of buying one every day.

Our expandable cooler bag starts at 6.15 litres, a good size for a lunch box and drink, and expands to 11.88 litres for family outings. A hot/cold pack is included. See also how to pack a cooler bag.