Analysis of a favorite children’s snack has sparked a campaign to ban it after it was found to contain dangerous levels of toxic metals that have been linked to kidney and bone diseases and cancer.
The watchdog group Consumer Reports tested 12 store-bought versions of Lunchables and other prepared meal kits, including those from Armor LunchMakers, Good & Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co. and Oscar Mayer.
All contained metals lead, cadmium or both, as well as high levels of sodium. According to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead for children and the effects on brain development can appear years later.
Lead accumulates in the body, meaning it does not leave the system and builds up over time, so prolonged exposure to even low levels can become toxic.
As a result, the nonprofit consumer group has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which spearheads the federally assisted school meals program, to remove Lunchables snack kits from school cafeterias.
A cafeteria worker prepares lunchables for lunch at a school in Pembroke, North Carolina.
The lunchables are made by Kraft Heinz, which launched the school version of snack kits in K-12 school cafeterias across the United States last year: Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza.
“Lunches are not a healthy option for children and should not be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports.
“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.”
“The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that children in schools have healthier options,” he added.
Lunchables created two new versions of its kit especially for school lunch programs in the U.S. last year, but the new report found they contain even more salt than the Lunchables kits customers can get at grocery stores.
The school cafeteria version of Lunchables was found to contain between 460 and 740 milligrams per serving, which is “nearly a quarter to a half of a child’s recommended daily sodium limit” — no more than 1,500 mg per day for four to eight years. year old.
Consumer Reports found that the school variety of Turkey and Cheddar Lunchables contained 930 mg of sodium, while the store-bought version contained 740 mg.
None of the kits tested exceeded federal limits, but five of the 12 kits exceeded California’s maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead or cadmium, which was used because there are no federal limits for heavy metals in most. of foods, and those from California are the most protective available.
Children are at greater risk than adults because less lead can have a greater effect on their health.
A review of 17 studies found that lead exposure early in life is linked to an increased risk of criminal behavior in adulthood.
*Also contains more than 50 percent of the maximum allowable dosage level of cadmium in California, according to Consumer Reports testing.
Consumer Reports found that the school variety of Turkey and Cheddar Lunchables contained 930 mg of sodium, while the store-bought version contained 740 mg.
The metal is toxic to the body and has been linked to a number of health problems including kidney disease, infertility and delays in mental development.
Lead travels in the bloodstream and accumulates in soft tissues, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs, which over time can cause problems in these organs.
Most people will not have obvious symptoms of lead exposure at first.
Over time, this can lead to lower IQ, reduced ability to pay attention, and poor performance in children’s school, behavioral problems, and learning problems.
The lunchables are made by Kraft Heinz, who launched the school version of snack kits in K-12 school cafeterias across the United States last year through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza.
The NSLP provides daily lunches to nearly 30 million students in public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions.
