*According to Consumer Reports, schools should stop offering Lunchables as part of their lunch menus due to lead contamination.
Consumer Reports urges the Department of Agriculture to eliminate Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program.
“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 Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, which launched a petition to the USDA, in a statement.
Ronholm added, “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.”
The USDA currently allows two Lunchables kits — Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Extra Cheesy Pizza — to be served to nearly 30 million children through the National School Lunch Program.
Kraft Heinz increased the whole grains in the crackers and boosted the protein content in the Lunchable kits tailored for schools, surpassing the versions found in stores.
In the statement, CR noted that it “tested store-bought Lunchables and similar kits from Armour LunchMakers, Good & Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., and Oscar Mayer and found lead, cadmium, or both in all.”
The statement added, “Lead and cadmium can cause developmental problems in children over time, even in small amounts.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead for children.
READ MORE: Lunchables Are Going to be Rolled Out Directly to Students – Here’s What’s in Them | VIDEOs
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