A consumer watchdog group has raised concerns about the sodium levels in school cafeteria versions of the popular kids’ snack kit Lunchables. Consumer Reports has petitioned the USDA to remove these Lunchables from school lunch programs due to excessive sodium content. The group found that the school versions of Lunchables contain even higher levels of sodium compared to the kits available in stores. The sodium levels in the turkey and cheddar school versions of Lunchables were found to be 930 mg, compared to 740 mg in the store-bought version.

In addition to high sodium levels, Consumer Reports also found lead, cadmium, or both in all the Lunchables and similar ready-to-eat meal kits it tested. While none of the kits exceeded federal limits for these heavy metals, the presence of cadmium is concerning as it has been linked to kidney and bone disease and cancer by the World Health Organization. The report highlighted that there is no safe level of lead for children, as it bio-accumulates in the body over time and can have toxic effects, especially on infants.

Furthermore, the tests conducted by Consumer Reports detected at least one type of phthalate or phthalate replacement chemical in every kit, except for Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza. These chemicals can cause developmental problems in children over time, even in small amounts.

The findings from Consumer Reports raise significant concerns about the nutritional and health implications of these popular school lunch options. The petition to remove Lunchables from school lunch programs underscores the need for greater scrutiny and regulation of the nutritional content of foods served in schools to ensure the well-being of children.