Lunchables are “stackable and snackable,” the ready meals website says, but a recent report has some parents doubting whether their children should eat these foods.
Consumer Reports on Tuesday called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program because the meal packages contained “higher levels of sodium” and “high levels of lead.”
“Lunchables are not a healthy option for children and should not be on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program,” Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, which petitioned the USDA, said in the press release. “The Lunchables and similar lunch bags we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time.”
Here’s what you should know:
Lead contamination: FDA: Applesauce bags recalled in connection with a cinnamon processor
Kraft Heinz says the Consumer Reports study that found high levels of lead and sodium in Lunchables is “misleading.”
In a statement emailed to USA TODAY on Thursday, Kraft Heinz, owner of Lunchables, said: “We are extremely disappointed with Consumer Reports’ reporting and believe the results of their study are misleading and raise inappropriate concerns about the safety of our products.”
“The fact is that all Lunchables products meet strict safety standards set by government agencies,” Kraft Heinz said. “Consumer Reports admits that none of the foods tested exceeded legal or regulatory limits, but swept that fact under the rug.”
According to Consumer Reports, the study’s findings in its report on metals are based on California’s maximum allowable dose for heavy metals, the Chicago, Illinois-based food company said. All Kraft Heinz products, including Lunchables, were “well below the allowable limits,” according to the company.
“The metals they focus on are naturally occurring and therefore can be present in small amounts in any food,” Kraft Heinz said. “We do not add these elements to our products.”
“Lunchables meet all USDA standards,” says Kraft Heinz
Kraft Heinz claims that its “National School Lunch Program-approved Lunchables meet all USDA standards,” the statement said.
“We have increased the amount of meat in the products to increase the protein content and give children energy throughout the day,” the food company said. “Of course, with more meat comes a higher sodium content to ensure the product is safely preserved. It is worth noting that Consumer Reports has not tested our school products.”
Kraft Heinz said it was proud of the product.
“By offering Lunchables in schools, we can meet the needs of schools by providing them with affordable, convenient solutions that provide high-quality nutrition to students at lunchtime,” the company said. “We have received feedback that products like Lunchables are more trusted by school administrators because of our rigorous food safety and quality assurance. We view our work with schools as a solution to legitimate problems that schools may face.”
Are Lunchables being recalled?
Lunchables have not been recalled. Consumer Reports is suggesting that the USDA remove the snack kits from the National School Lunch Program.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, Kraft Heinz would have to voluntarily initiate a recall of Lunchables.
In some cases, the FDA can request or order a recall, but the federal agency has not done so with Lunchables. Otherwise, any violation could be corrected and Lunchables would be put back on the market, the FDA’s website says.
Lunchables also do not appear in FDA’s enforcement reports for April.
Are Lunchables healthy?
Maya Feller, a registered dietitian and nutritionist who has worked in New York City public schools, said in an interview with ABC News that she was concerned about the “regular introduction of Lunchables and Lunchable-like kits” because they do not provide a “nutritious option” for students.
“The high sodium content is definitely a concern, especially at a young age,” Feller said. “The health risks associated with high and chronic consumption of added salts are well documented.”
Based on her clinical experience, Feller would like to see more “nutrient-dense, plant-based alternatives” in schools, especially meals with less added sugar, saturated fat and salt, ABC News reported.
Although many are skeptical about purchasing a Lunchable, the FDA says it is “not possible to completely prevent lead from entering the diet.”
Although it is impossible to prevent lead in food, the FDA requires food manufacturers by law to “significantly minimize or eliminate chemical hazards where necessary.”
When did Lunchables come out?
According to a 1999 Washington Post article, Lunchables were introduced in 1988 as simple packages containing meat, cheese and crackers.
Over time, other variations of Lunchables were released, including pizza swirls and pizza dunks, hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos and nachos, the Post reported.
Who owns Lunchables? When were they invented?
Kraft Heinz, a food company formed in 2015 through the merger of Kraft Foods Group and HJ Heinz Holding Corp., owns Lunchables.
Lunchables are branded under the name Oscar Mayer, who, according to journalist Michael Moss’s 2013 book, “Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” was the original inventor of the snack kits in 1985.
How much do Lunchables cost?
Prices for Lunchables vary depending on where you purchase them, but most individual sets cost less than $2.
According to the supermarket’s website, Walmart sells most of its individual Lunchables sets for $1.87.
According to the retailer’s website, Target sells its Lunchables individual sets for $1.99.
Lunchables kits with their “100 percent juice” can be a bit more expensive, but still cost around $3 in most stores.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lead in Lunchables? What you should know about Consumer Reports’ findings
