Consumer Groups Petition USDA to Remove Lunchables From School Lunch Program Due to Toxic Contaminants
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Consumer Reports and More Union have delivered nearly 50,000 petition signatures to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calling on the agency to remove Lunchables food kits from the National School Food Lunch Program. The groups are urging USDA to strengthen its eligibility standards for the program after tests by Consumer Reports found that Lunchables and similar lunch kits contained relatively high levels of certain contaminants.
Earlier in 2024, Consumer Reports tested 12 store-bought versions of Lunchables and similar kits and found several to contain relatively high levels of lead and cadmium. All but one tested positive for phthalates, chemicals found in plastic that have been linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, and certain cancers.
USDA currently allows two Lunchable kits—Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Extra Cheesy Pizza—to be served to nearly 30 million children through the National School Lunch Program. To meet the program’s requirements, Kraft Heinz added more whole grains to the crackers and more protein to the Lunchables kits designed for schools compared to store-bought versions.
Consumer Reports tested store-bought Lunchables and similar kits from Armour, LunchMakers, Good and Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., and Oscar Mayer and found lead, cadmium, or both in all samples. While none of the kits exceeded any federal limit, five of the 12 tested products would expose someone to 50 percent or more of California’s maximum allowable level for lead or cadmium. There are no federal limits for heavy metals like lead or cadmium in most foods.
The group also tested at least one type of phthalate in every kit sampled, except for Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, compounds that may mimic or interfere with hormones in the body, which can contribute to an increased risk of reproductive problems, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Update, November 11, 2024: Kraft Heinz, the makers of Lunchables, has voluntarily decided to pull its meal kits from the National School Lunch Program.
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