Kraft Heinz’s Lunchables Contain ‘Relatively High’ Levels of Lead, Cadmium, and Sodium, Tests Show

Phthalates — aka "everywhere chemicals" — were also found.

Consumer Reports, the advocacy group, is petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pull Kraft Heinz’s Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) due to “relatively high” levels of lead, cadmium, and sodium. The petition, which has amassed more than 16,000 signatures as of this writing, was filed this week.

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

Related: Trending: These Bestselling Back-to-School Lunch Boxes Are Also Great for On-the-Go Adults

Kraft Heinz had developed two versions of its popular ready-to-eat snack kit specifically for the lunch program: Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stacker and Extra Cheesy Pizza — making use of “a specialized recipe that incorporates more protein and whole grains to keep kids powered throughout the day, reduced saturated fat and sodium, and an increased serving size.” The move was meant to be a way to meet NSLP standards, and both flavors were rolled out in K-12 lunchrooms nationally in 2023.

But Consumer Reports conducted several tests that yielded troubling results.

“There’s a lot to be concerned about in these kits,” said Amy Keating, one of Consumer Reports’ registered dietitians. “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.”

The advocacy group found that the two specially created, school-only Lunchables tested for higher sodium levels than the versions found in retail stores. The sodium in the tested products ranged from 460 to 740 milligrams, which is significant considering the small portion of the snacks and the fact that they account for just one serving.

Children ages 6 to 8 need a maximum of only 1,500 mg per day, according to the Mayo Clinic. So, assuming that kids will consume more sodium during other meals, which they certainly will, 740 milligrams accounts for nearly half of the maximum recommended salt consumption.

Related: Replacing Table Salt with MSG Could Help Reduce Your Sodium Intake, Study Says

Beyond that, Consumer Reports tested 12 nationally available Lunchables — in addition to similar packaged snacks — and found lead or cadmium (or both) in all of them. While none of the tested samples exceeded legal or regulatory limits, five of them “would expose someone to 50% or more of California’s maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead or cadmium.” That’s a lot, given that heavy metal toxicity can lead to serious problems in children — including neurocognitive disorders. To put things succinctly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that there is “no safe blood lead level in children.”

Heavy metals and sodium are not the only problem: All but one out of the 12 snack kits tested positive for phthalates (a.k.a. “everywhere chemicals”), which are known endocrine disruptors that may potentially play a part in reproductive problems, cardiovascular diseases, some forms of cancer, and diabetes.

Additives, such as sodium nitrite and artificial flavors, are also a concern. According to research from the Institute of Food and Health at University College Dublin, the presence of these — along with added fat, sugar, and salt — qualifies snack kits as either processed or ultra-processed food, linked to 32 health conditions.

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