Consumer Report Launches Petition To Remove Lunchables Meals From National School Lunch Programs Following Detection Of Lead And High Levels Of Sodium!

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Cousins! Consumer Reports has recently issued direct advisement to the United States Department of Agriculture to remove Lunchables and similar lunch kits from the National School Lunch Program following an alarming discovery!

Within a forwarded announcement made earlier this month on April 9th, Consumer Reports shared their findings after testing twelve individually popular store-bought versions of Lunchables and similar snack kits. It has been indicated that the children’s meals contained “relatively high levels” of lead cadmium and sodium.

Reports read that the sodium levels in each individual package range from 460 to well over 700 milligrams. Officials state that the snack kits are nearly a quarter to half of a child’s daily recommended limits.

Sources state that eleven out of the twelve tested kits contained a chemical that is usually discovered in plastic, identified as Phthalates. The National Institute of Health states that Phthalates are “detrimental to human health” and can also lead to issues within a human’s reproductive system such as diabetes, obesity, and different types of cancer.

A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz also known as the maker of Lunchables, tells PEOPLE within a forwarded statement that the company has made strides towards improvement. “— great steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables.” Reports read that the company has reduced the sodium in all Lunchables crackers by roughly 25%. 

“All our foods meet strict safety standards that we happily feed to our own families. We are proud of Lunchables and stand by the quality and integrity that goes into making them,” said the spokesperson.

“According to current science, processed foods arbitrarily classified as ‘ultra-processed’ are not necessarily less nutritious. In fact, many processed foods contain added nutrients, providing even more benefits to the consumer. The classification of foods should be based on scientific evidence that includes an assessment of the nutritional value of the whole product, not restricted to one element such as a single ingredient or the level of processing.”

According to PEOPLE, Consumer Reports tested kits from Armour LunchMakers, Good & Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., and Oscar Mayer along with Lunchables.

Consumer Reports has also launched a petition to the USDA to have Lunchables removed from student lunch programs across the nation.

“Even in small amounts, lead and cadmium can cause developmental problems in children, with risks increasing from regular exposure over time,” the petition states. “And eating too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure: about 14 percent of children and teens have prehypertension or hypertension. Please remove these processed food kits from the lunch program, and offer our children healthier choices.”

“Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldn’t be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program,” said director of food policy at Consumer Reports Brian Ronholm.

“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 kids in schools have healthier options.”