The lunch box that PunditGirl carried in preschool and used periodically for camp over the years has finally made its way to the great recycling bin in the sky. OK, I know it’s probably underground somewhere. I’m sorry — please don’t tell my pals at the League of Maternal Justice.
I’m sure PunditGirl wouldn’t be caught dead with her old lunch box now anyway, since it sported several happy, smiling Disney princesses on background of candy cotton pink. She is a mature eight-year-old, after all and Disney princesses are for “little” girls! 
PunditGirl’s school provides lunch for all the kids everyday, so she hasn’t had a need for a lunch box in three years. But with summer day camp season nearly upon us, I’ll be packing lunches again for her over the summer and realized I’d better find something soon for her to carry them in. (That’s my story for being online for several hours today, and I’m sticking to it!)
In my online search today, I found this cute guy:
Not exactly what I was thinking of for a first choice for PunditGirl, but she liked the movie and it’s on sale for $3.99!! SCORE!
Except that under the photo, there was the following disclaimer:
This item is in stock. WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Beg your pardon?? What chemical? How does it do that? Is there a danger if the food touches the lunch box or do you actually have to lick it or take a bite out of it?? I’m not exactly sure, but I’m betting it’s lead.
Maybe I’ll just stick with paper bags. Or will that create a problem for some camp supervisor because I’m violating the guidelines for sending her lunch in a container that will keep it cold?
Hey, why didn’t my mother have to worry about what I was carrying my PB&J in? And will the rest of us ever be able to send our kids off with a worry-free lunch again??
May 17th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
That same warning is on all of my dollhouse stuff. I finally called the company that makes it and they were all “If you eat 8 pounds of it you might get cancer. Are you eating your dollhouse furniture?” I wasn’t but still…I worry.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I noticed the same warning on our newly purchased christmas lights a couple years back. About the same time my youngest was crawling up to our tree and tasting everything he could get his chubby paws on. So we strung those lights high. But I still wondered if I should be wearing gloves as I trimmed our tree. And then found myself madly washing my hands and then madly wringng my hands. Is my christmas tree spreading cancer while it spreads cheer? Tis the season it seems.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
It’s probably lead in the animation paint. My advice: buy it, use it,make sure none of the food is in direct contact with the “box” itself. For example, wrap apples in foil (recyclable) and sandwiches in a plastic bag or container. Punditgirl is old enough that she won’t chew on the lunchbox itself.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I’m guessing it’s PVC. I wouldn’t mind so much if it weren’t made to CARRY FOOD.
Grrr.
May 19th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Isn’t this incredible. I’m so glad we
re sticking together and letting other moms know what to consider when purchasing products for children today..
I really like your site..will be back.
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://www.grammology.com
May 19th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hi, delurking to say, have you checked out Japanese-style bento boxes? There’s a site cookingcute.com that has tons of links for bento materials which are uber cute and hopefully not toxic. I wouldn’t risk that Ratatouille lunchbox since it’s being used to store food. Yuck.