Mum's 'gross' find in child's Go Green lunchbox: 'My jaw dropped'
Ashleigh has made a video to point out a lunchbox hygiene issue many parents may not be aware of.
An Australian mum has warned parents to clean their children's lunchboxes properly after unexpectedly finding mould growing rampantly inside her daughter's pink Go Green.
Ashleigh was cleaning out the popular eco-friendly lunchbox when she noticed something unusual. Deciding to film the moment to raise awareness, she continued to lift up the silicone bands of the bento-box style container to shockingly find them all covered in black mould.
"Yuck — I think the water must get stuck in there and cause mould...Oh my God," she said on TikTok last week.
Go Green responds to mouldy lunchbox
Due to "food particles and/or liquid [possibly getting] trapped under the silicone bands," Go Green specify how and when lunchboxes should be cleaned, a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
"For best results, and due to their light weight, we recommend the lid's five silicone bands be removed daily and hand-washed," they say on their website.
They also mention to individually wash the lid and container with warm soapy water and not put the lunchbox in a dishwasher "due the inconsistent heat temperatures of many dishwashers".
All items should be cleaned properly to avoid health risks
Besides lunchboxes, other common items should be cleaned well to avoid the dangers of mould, according to Kidsafe Victoria.
"Mould can develop in damp and dark places, which can include items such as drink bottles, lunch boxes, and children's bath toys," general manager Jason Chambers told Yahoo News Australia.
"To help prevent mould, it's important that parents and carers check these items regularly, and follow the manufacturers cleaning and care instructions. If items such as drink bottles and lunch boxes develop mould that can't be cleaned, it's best to replace them with a new one."
Ashleigh claimed she had "read the instructions and cleaned [the Go Green lunchbox] perfectly every time", only to have slipped up on her usual cleaning routine this time. It's unclear how long the silicone bands hadn't been removed and rinsed.
"That's why I'm raising awareness to do it every damn time you wash the lunchbox," she said in the comments.
The mum also mentioned how happy she was with her daughter's Go Green lunchbox which she said "lasts really well". "This is her second year of using it and it's in perfect condition," she added.
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Social media users react to video
The now viral video has garnered more than 78,000 views with many sharing their thoughts in the comments. Some believed it was "pretty obvious" all components of food containers should be washed every time they're used.
However many parents didn't realise the silicone bands came off or that you had to wash them that often. "When I tell you my jaw dropped," one person said. "Nah!!!!! I’m cleaning my daughter's today after school," another wrote.
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