James Giles

Parents, if your kids eat Lunchables, you may want to toss them out. A new Consumer Reports investigation suggest high amounts of lead and sodium are in the popular ready-to-eat-meals.

Since the 80s, kids have loved Lunchables, and possibly no one loves them more than parents who enjoy the convenience of the pre-packaged crackers, deli meat, and cheese. But now, a Consumer Reports investigation suggests Lunchables might not be loving your kids back.

“It’s really astonishing that these products are allowed to be in the school lunch program when you factor in the high level of sodium that’s included in these products, and not only that, we found high levels of lead,” said Consumer Reports Director of Food policy Brian Ronholm.

The product is so popular that you can even find them in school cafeterias. Ronholm says they are petitioning the USDA, who oversees the National School Lunch Program, to keep the products out of school cafeterias.

“Consumption of this comprised about 30-70% of the allowable limit for lead. It’s important to remember too that there is no safe levels for lead especially as it relates to kids,” said Ronholm.

According to Ronholm, that is something that can cause problems for kids later on in life.

“Accumulation of lead overtime, especially in kids, has been linked to learning disabilities, development problems, reproductive harm, and things like that. Especially when you’re starting with increased consumption at such an early age.”

Ronholm’s advice to parents? Convenience isn’t always best for our kids.

In a statement, Kraft Heinz, the company that makes Lunchables, says they are taking steps to improve the nutrition profile like adding fruit to the meal kits.