13 Laugh-So-You-Don't-Cry Reactions To THAT Report Finding "High Amounts Of Lead" In Lunchables
I don't know about you, but only two things classified as clout in our elementary school cafeteria: Coming back from a doctor's appointment with a McDonald's Happy Meal or busting out a Lunchables.
Well, that might be changing due to a new report by Consumer Reports, a consumer watchdog group that recently raised concerns about one of the US' favorite mealtime companions.
"[Consumer Reports] tests find Lunchables and similar lunch kits contain relatively high levels of lead, cadmium, and sodium," said Eric Boring, a chemist at Consumer Reports who led the testing. "We don’t think anybody should regularly eat these products, and they definitely shouldn’t be considered a healthy school lunch."
The group claims they tested 12 store-bought Lunchables and similar kits, several of which "contained relatively high levels of lead and cadmium." For those who don't know, cadmium is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Furthermore, "All but one also tested positive for phthalates, chemicals found in plastic that have been linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, and certain cancers," their statement says.
While it's important to note that Consumer Reports says none of the kits surpassed legal or regulatory limits, the group said five of the 12 kits tested "would expose someone to 50 percent or more of California’s maximum allowable level for lead or cadmium."
Likewise, kits tested contained one-fourth to half of a child’s daily recommended limit for sodium.
As you can imagine, those who grew up – and continue to raise their kids on – Lunchables were shocked. Here's how people are reacting:
1.
How far back are we talking here? https://t.co/S4dFHzC0pc pic.twitter.com/hBcu8XT6fO
— post-hipster runoff altbaguette //// 🪩 (@rinnyriot) April 9, 2024
YouTube: Daphne Wynn / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @rinnyriot
2.
you mean the thing I ate for lunch every day from the ages 5 to 14? https://t.co/62euIaT17j pic.twitter.com/5ShVJOkhBc
— Beth ミ☆ be a symphony (@buffysfred) April 10, 2024
Comedy Central / Via Twitter: @buffysfred
3.
Traveling back in time to apologize to my mom for begging for these when she (in her wisdom) wouldn't oblige. https://t.co/BG0pqVmNe7 pic.twitter.com/zo51VKdOre
— aléxandros! (@bodega_gyro_ao) April 9, 2024
Warner Bros / Via Twitter: @bodega_gyro_ao
4.
Not my mom being right about something else https://t.co/J2cGZCYa3S
— Comorienne 🇰🇲 (@_ShamGod) April 9, 2024
5.
Nickelodeon, Lunchables. This year you’re finding out that every beloved thing from your childhood was a lie. pic.twitter.com/rxVcfs6UXf https://t.co/B8qgiy261r
— I have so many questions? (@english_shamar) April 9, 2024
media corp 5 / Via Twitter: @english_shamar
6.
My grown azz has a stack of these in the fridge now. https://t.co/0KSD382goD pic.twitter.com/VbnPwwsm65
— Ron Stoppable (@I_am_Lewis08) April 9, 2024
7.
Kids who were too poor for lunchables winning right now
— Housing 4 All is Hot (@ahouse4all) April 11, 2024
8.
I know the white kid in middle school that bullied me for eating my “smelly” ethnic food instead of lunchables is mad as hell rn https://t.co/y7E63k55k0 pic.twitter.com/K0YQWcMIX5
— Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) April 9, 2024
9.
Now lunchables dangerous too... https://t.co/hGPOtFxtIq pic.twitter.com/2llT7ICM5k
— Project: 2501 👾 (@BradRadcock) April 9, 2024
10.
I can't even think of the number when it comes to how many lunchables I've eaten. 😂 https://t.co/cLUoE9ZGZ8 pic.twitter.com/WSBZS2sU6X
— phlyist (@phlyist) April 10, 2024
Universal Television / Via Twitter: @phlyist
11.
as a 35 year old that occasionally steals lunchables from his daughter… https://t.co/nqdykdtv9i pic.twitter.com/a8eZ4aw9HD
— Daniel Grote (@dangrote) April 10, 2024
Marvel Studios / Via Twitter: @phlyist
12.
Me eating up the nachos and pizza lunchables in 2nd grade https://t.co/tGJyMCJifp pic.twitter.com/W4O1C9EACk
— meggy ᡣ𐭩 (@capri_sung) April 11, 2024
Instagram: Jay / instagram.com / Via Twitter: @capri_sung
13.
Do you know how many Lunchables I’ve eaten in this lifetime???? https://t.co/ikxAi1kJpl pic.twitter.com/hsBJjUg5AE
— a. 🌻 (@badgal_ari) April 9, 2024
FX / Via Twitter: @badgal_ari
A petition was created by Consumer Reports to urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove Lunchables from school lunch programs that provide them, and it currently hosts nearly 17,500 signatures.
And in a statement to NPR, a USDA spokesperson said it "takes very seriously our responsibility to ensure school meals are of the highest nutritional quality." The spokesperson also said the USDA does not "allow or disallow" specific items, but sets requirements for the overall nutritional makeup for meals.
So yeah. Have a great weekend!