Consumer Reports Finds Troubling Levels of Lead and Sodium in Lunchables Snack Packs

Recent research by Consumer Reports has raised concerns about the health implications of prepackaged Lunchables for children. The study found that these popular snack kits contain troublesome levels of lead and sodium, making them a less than ideal choice for young consumers.

Findings by Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports tested Lunchables made by Kraft Heinz, as well as similar lunch and snack kits from various manufacturers. The results revealed that while none of the kits exceeded legal or regulatory limits, five out of the twelve products tested contained levels that would expose someone to 50% or more of California's maximum allowable amount of lead or cadmium, heavy metals that can cause developmental issues in children.

Specific Product Concerns

For instance, a 3.2-ounce Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers Lunchable was found to contain 74% of California's allowable level for lead and 49% of the daily recommended sodium for 4- to 8-year-olds. These concerning levels of lead and sodium in the products raise worries about potential health risks for children who consume them regularly. Such exposure could have detrimental effects, especially considering the limited daily caloric intake that these kits provide.

Expert Opinion

Amy Keating, a registered dietitian at Consumer Reports, highlighted, "They're highly processed, and regularly eating processed meat, a main ingredient in many of these products, has been linked to increased risk of some cancers."

Eric Boring, a CR chemist who led the testing, emphasized, "So if a child gets more than half of the daily limit for lead from so few calories, there's little room for potential exposure from other foods, drinking water, or the environment."

Company Response

In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Kraft Heinz defended the company's products, stating, "Many of our Lunchables products are a good source of protein, offering nutrients through meats and cheeses. We've taken great steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables, including recently unveiling Lunchables with Fresh Fruit, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte, and reducing the sodium in all Lunchables crackers by 26%."

The spokesperson added, "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."