From lingering smells to questionable health choices – experts reveal what not to pack in your lunchbox.
If you’ve ever recoiled at the smell of someone’s lunch wafting through the office, you’re not alone. New insight from Digital ID reveals the foods most likely to cause chaos in the workplace, from fridge stinkers to microwave offenders and even ‘healthy’ choices that aren’t as innocent as they seem.
According to workplace and ID card specialists, Digital ID, certain go-to meals can not only earn you a reputation in the office but may also have hidden downsides for your energy, focus, and digestion.
Top Offenders Include:
- Boiled Eggs – Quick, protein-packed, and guaranteed to clear a room. Whether peeled at your desk or reheated in the office microwave, the sulphurous smell is a serial offender.
- Salmon (especially reheated) – Ticking both the health and high-smell boxes, oily fish like salmon is packed with omega-3s – but it’s also one of the fastest ways to fall out with your team.
- Cottage Cheese – Often brought in as a ‘diet food’, cottage cheese can be surprisingly pungent. What’s worse: its tendency to leak in bags and create curdled messes and release bacteria in the shared fridge.
- Overnight Oats – While trendy and Instagrammable, overnight oats aren’t always workplace-friendly. Left to soak for too long or topped with yoghurt and fruit, they can turn sour quickly – especially if forgotten over the weekend.
- Leftover Takeaway – Reheating last night’s curry or Chinese might seem like a win, but the mix of spices and sauces tends to linger in office air long after lunch hour ends.
Adam Bennett at Digital ID, commented:
“Food is personal – and that’s part of the problem. What tastes great to you might be unbearable to your colleague next to you. We always recommend being mindful of shared spaces, especially when it comes to smells and fridge etiquette. If you wouldn’t eat it on public transport, it probably doesn’t belong at your desk either.”
The team also warns that some ‘healthy’ options – like overly fibrous salads or high-protein snacks – can lead to bloating or sluggishness if eaten at the wrong time, making afternoon productivity a challenge.
Office Food Etiquette Tips from Adam Bennett
- Avoid microwaving fish, eggs, or anything with garlic or strong spices.
- Always label and date your lunch if it’s going in the shared fridge.
- Don’t leave half-eaten tubs of yoghurt, oats, or soft cheese behind.
- Choose food that fuels you without overwhelming the office air.
With warmer months ahead, workplace hygiene is more important than ever. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping colleagues happy – and your lunch drama-free.