School lunch was always a sore matter among students, ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors. Soggy chicken sandwiches and occasional mystery meat are not intended for human consumption. Since 2023, The USDA has confirmed that Lunchables, owned by Kraft, have reached the proper nutritional levels in their new recipe and will be served in schools, or given out to students for free.

The two new editions of Lunchables joining the cafeteria fridge are “Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers” and “Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza”. Schools see these meals as easy to prepare as they only need to be stored in a fridge, reducing the labor and maintenance costs even more for schools. However, schools should not be compromising the health and satiety of their students as these meals are the opposite of what they are advertised as. 

Young students perceive Lunchables as a fun and interactive snack, while other students cannot receive sufficient nutrients from these meals. In a recent report from April of 2024, Consumer Reports (CR), a non-profit organization dealing with consumer-related research and product testing, found high levels of lead and cadmium in twelve store-bought Lunchables. CR also conducted tests on other prepackaged meals, brands like Oscar Mayer, Good & Gather, etc, have seen similar levels of lead and cadmium. These heavy metals can lead to hypertension, kidney damage, and other  issues.  

While cheese, ham, and crackers aren’t deemed as threatening, studies have shown that this trio holds loads of sodium. Ranging from 460 to 700 milligrams;, these levels of sodium can be over half a child’s recommended daily amount, depending on their age. The main concern about these prepackaged meals is the detrimental effects that include: heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. In an interview with CR, Smithfield Foods reasons that the high sodium content is for consumer demands, quality, and satisfaction.