An advocacy group, Consumer Reports, has made a fervent plea to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging the removal of Lunchables from the national free and reduced-price school lunch program. The call for action comes following a comprehensive analysis revealing alarmingly high levels of sodium and elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the popular meal kits.
Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Reports, emphasized the detrimental impact of Lunchables on children’s health, urging the USDA to eliminate the brand from the National School Lunch Program. Ronholm stated, “The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time.”
Consumer Reports’ analysis revealed disturbing findings, including high sodium content in Lunchables, detection of lead and cadmium, as well as the presence of phthalates, known to disrupt reproductive health and the human hormonal system.
Responding to inquiries, a USDA spokesperson clarified that the department does not individually approve or disapprove food items but establishes requirements for the overall nutritional content of meals on a daily or weekly basis. They emphasized the need for balancing higher sodium products like Lunchables with healthier options such as fruits, vegetables, and milk.
In defense of Lunchables, a spokesperson for Kraft Heinz, the manufacturer, asserted that all products meet rigorous safety standards and highlighted recent improvements in nutritional benefits, including the addition of fresh fruit and reduction in sodium levels.
Consumer Reports highlighted specific Lunchables varieties currently served in schools, such as Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Extra Cheesy Pizza. Testing revealed that these options contained significant levels of lead and cadmium, prompting concerns about their suitability for school consumption.
Moreover, Consumer Reports found that Lunchables tailored for school distribution, boasting whole grains and additional protein, contained higher sodium levels compared to those available in stores. For instance, the turkey-and-cheese variety in schools contained 930 mg of sodium, significantly surpassing the recommended daily intake.
Consumer advocacy efforts have gained momentum, with a petition initiated by Consumer Reports amassing over 14,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, urging the USDA to take swift action in removing Lunchables from school lunch menus.
