Consumer Reports is urging the USDA to remove Lunchables from school menus due to concerning levels of lead, cadmium, sodium, and harmful phthalates found in their testing.
Unhealthy Ingredients Discovered in Lunchables
In a recent test by Consumer Reports, the popular kids' lunch kit Lunchables, that's been served in school cafeterias since last year, was found to contain concerning levels of lead, cadmium, sodium, and phthalates. These chemicals can lead to some serious health issues. All but one of 12 store-bought Lunchables packs examined by Consumer Reports tested positive for phthalates, which are linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, higher than acceptable amounts of the heavy metals lead and cadmium were detected, with 5 products exposing kids to 50% or more of California's maximum allowable levels.
High Sodium Content Exceeds Recommendations
The sodium levels in the tested products ranged from 460mg to 740mg per serving - nearly 25-50% of a child's recommended daily limit. Alarmingly, the school Lunchables versions contained even higher sodium, with the Turkey & Cheddar kit packing 930mg versus 740mg in the store version. Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, hypertension, potential heart, stroke, and kidney issues down the line.
Petition to Pull Lunchables from Cafeterias
Based on these findings, Consumer Reports has launched a petition urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program menu. "Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldn't be allowed," stated Brian Ronholm, CR's food policy director. While meeting some USDA standards, the kits' nutritional profile raises concerns. As of April 2024, the petition has over 14,000 signatures.
As always, folks, if you are worried about what's in your kids' food, the best course of action is to send them to class with a brown bag you prepared at home. There is no better way to know what's in their meals than to use products you vetted personally.
