The once nemesis of health-conscious parents have now gotten the seal of approval from the United States government and are making a comeback in school.
Lunchables, the bento-like box of crackers, deli meats, and other snacks, available in grocery stores since 1988, will now make their way into school cafeterias this fall.
Kraft Heinz, the manufacturer of this ready-to-eat package that is "among the most loved US brands" by children, has succeeded in making it a part of the school's lunch program in an important new initiative.
There was one condition, though. The company needed to "reformulate" the ingredients and choices of food to ensure that the products meet federal guidelines first, such as the nutritional standard for school meals.
Executive vice president of Kraft Heinz Carlos Abrams-Rivera revealed that two new varieties of Lunchables, separate from those sold in grocery stores, will have the "improved nutrition" to comply with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These new Lunchables, dubbed "Built for School," will be served in K-12 schools nationwide.
Built for School
Speaking to CNN Business Tuesday, Kraft Heinz expressed that this will be the first time the products are "directly entering schools." School administrators nationwide can acquire and offer the new products by selling them in school cafeterias or giving them for free under NSLP, which provides lunch to almost 30 million students in public schools, nonprofit private schools, and residential childcare institutions daily.
The two new Built for School Lunchables are the "Turkey and Cheddar" and the "Extra Cheesy Pizza." Both options were crafted using "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 company stated.
The Turkey and Cheddar Lunchables comes in a three-and-a-half ounce container and contains two ounces of meat/meat alternative (MMA), an ounce equivalent of grain, six grams of saturated fat, 930 milligrams of sodium, and qualifies for the "whole grain-rich criteria" of the NSLP.
The Extra Cheesy Pizza Lunchables, on the other hand, comes in a 5.05-ounce container and contains two ounces equivalent of MMA, two ounces equivalent of grain, 1/8 cup of red/orange vegetable, seven grams of saturated fat, 700 milligrams of sodium and qualifies for the "whole grain-rich criteria" of the NSLP.
Further, one of the primary selling points of the products for schools is that the latter need not be frozen. They only need to be kept refrigerated, which will minimize the school's labor needs and costs, especially since most schools are complaining about their staff shortage.
Read More: 959 Pounds Of Lunchables Recalled By Kraft Heinz Due To Misbranding, Undeclared Allergens
Parents are divided
Some parents are excited that their favorite childhood package is back for their children to try and enjoy. However, some are adamant, saying that school meals should be "more nourishing and creative," than Lunchables, Mario Sulaksana stressed.
The 28-year-old, who was not allowed to have Lunchables growing up, explained that though the product may seem an affordable and more convenient option for busy working parents, he feels it does not have to be endorsed by the school cafeteria.
Twenty-five-year-old Ava Macha, who has always wanted to eat Lunchables daily as a child but her doctor father did not allow her, shared that as she looks back, she is just glad that her dad would resist and pack her lunch that does not contain "all of those preservatives and empty calories in those little packages," according to BBC News.
Kraft Heinz hopes to change the minds of doubting parents as another new variety of Lunchables is in the works, potentially available later this year or 2024 - the Lunchables Fruits option.
Related article: USDA's Instruction To Make School Meals Healthier Gets Backlash From School Cook, Parents, Students
