Hidden Toxins in 'Healthy' Lunch Kits, Says Consumer Reports

With laboratory findings highlighting significant safety issues related to vibrant packaging and aggressive marketing, specialists caution that this ready-to-eat meal could present unexpected dangers for children.

Key Points

Consumer Reports discovered alarming amounts of lead in specific Lunchly kits, where some items had as much as 50% of the recommended daily intake.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates, associated with various health concerns, were found, probably originating from packaging or handling processes, alongside trace amounts of arsenic.
A nutritional review found that Lunchly's meals are not much more nutritious than Lunchables, as they have comparable amounts of sodium, fat, and calories. The reduced sugar level primarily stems from the use of artificial sweeteners in their beverage option, Prime Hydration.

Maybe your child's (or your own) favorite social media personality encouraged you to add handcrafted Lunchly items to your weekly grocery list.

Featuring vibrant, engaging packaging and the slogan "Have fun for lunch," it's a simple choice—particularly for time-crunched parents seeking ease. However, on Thursday, Consumer Reports published a fresh examination of Lunchly, the ready-to-eat meal package promoting itself as a more nutritious option than Lunchables. The results could make you think twice.

A comprehensive study conducted by Consumer Reports examined Lunchly meal kits, following earlier evaluations of Lunchables and other pre-packaged meals. Researchers analyzed Lunchly items for harmful substances, such as heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, according to James E. Rogers, Ph.D., who spoke with Food & Wine.

"We examined phthalates, chemicals added to plastics for use in packaging or that may pollute food during production; they interfere with hormone function," he says.

Rogers, responsible for overseeing product and food safety research at Consumer Reports, states that the group also performed a nutritional assessment to confirm if the real sodium levels corresponded with those stated on the labels. "We also examined fiber, total sugars, carbs, and protein quantities."

What did Consumer Reports discover?

And what Consumer Reports discovered triggered significant concerns. When examining the three heavy metals, "lead was our primary worry," explains Rogers. He notes that certain kits had as much as "50% of the recommended daily intake for lead."

"Being aware that children can absorb lead from their surroundings or other food sources, they might quickly exceed the recommended daily intake of lead," he explains. Notably, lead concentrations were actually higher in two of the Lunchly products than in Lunchables, contrary to Lunchly's assertion of being the more healthful choice. However, Rogers states that there is no safe amount of lead. With regard to other heavy metals, the nonprofit organization detected only small amounts of arsenic and no measurable mercury in the meal kits.

The group also discovered phthalates within the Lunchly packages. These substances, commonly transferred from plastic containers or through production processes, are extremely difficult to remove entirely, according to Rogers, who suggests their exposure should be minimized due to associations with significant health dangers. Even though the amounts identified were not as substantial as those seen in different items, it remains troubling.

Lunchly claimed it outperforms Lunchables, yet in our tests, they didn't prove superior. A key concern is that the item is a heavily processed food, with research indicating that such products can be harmful to your health.

James E. Rogers, PhD, head of product and food safety at Consumer Reports

When evaluating the nutritional content, Lunchly wasn't significantly healthier compared to Lunchables. When placed next to each other—looking at calories, total fat, saturated fat, carbs, protein, and sodium—they were fairly comparable. The main distinction was in added sugars.

"Lunchly's statements, such as their meals containing less sugar, are factually correct. However, when looking at the complete nutritional value, Lunchly packages aren't necessarily better for you," says Amy Keating, RD, head of Consumer Reports' testing initiative.

For instance, Lunchly's pizza package had seven grams of added sugar versus Lunchables' 16 grams. Nevertheless, as CR notes, this variation may be because of the beverages in each set: Lunchly includes Prime Hydration, which utilizes sweeteners instead of real sugar, whereas Lunchables has Capri Sun, which features additional sugars. As a point of comparison, the Dietary Recommendations for Americans from 2020 to 2025 suggest restricting additional sugar intake to not exceed 10% of total daily caloric consumption, and advise against children consuming drinks containing added sugars.

Related: Why Did Kraft Heinz Remove Lunchables From Public School Menus?

CR also discovered that Lunchly packages, similar to Lunchables, contain high levels of sodium—between roughly one-third to almost half of a child's suggested daily allowance. Much like most U.S. adults, children are consuming too much salt: approximately nine out of ten U.S. kids exceed the recommended intake, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - a contributing element to elevated blood pressure. - a potential cause of hypertension. - something that increases the likelihood of having high blood pressure. - a condition associated with higher chances of developing high blood pressure. - a factor linked to increased risk of high blood pressure.

In summary, "Lunchly claimed it was superior to Lunchables, but during our tests, they didn't prove to be better," Rogers says. "One problem is that the item is a heavily processed food, and research has indicated that such foods can be harmful."

What was Lunchly's response to Consumer Reports' findings? They stated that they do not think CR's testing produced trustworthy information and noted that they conduct their own tests for heavy metals, asserting that these substances are "naturally present and commonly found in many foods."

What meal options can caregivers bring for children as an alternative?

Therefore, what actions should parents take when their child wants a playful meal such as Lunchly? Rogers suggests that allowing your child to have a lunch box now and then as a "special indulgence" is acceptable—however, this shouldn't turn into a regular routine. "Parents must continue ensuring their children consume a well-rounded diet including ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, and they should prepare their meals at home using more nutritious items," he adds.

An approach: engage children in preparing their own nutritious homemade lunches. Utilize a bento container and allow your child to fill half of the sections with vibrant fruits and veggies such as blueberries, grape tomatoes, carrot sticks, snow peas, cucumber slices, and mango pieces. Reserve one-fourth for complex carbohydrates like a whole-grain tortilla, quinoa, or wild rice. The last fourth can include a protein option like baked chicken, salmon, boiled eggs, lentils, or a small portion of almonds and sunflower seeds. You may find surprising – your children might love the excitement of combining, choosing, and customizing their own meal bag.

Read the original story here View the full article at See the original piece online Access the complete article on Find the original publication here Check out the original content at Refer to the original article for more details Visit the source website for the original post Go to the original text online Explore the original report here Food & Wine