Good Lifestyle

Whether you have grown by eating them or threw them into your children's lunch bags, lunches have been a must for decades. Aside from the nostalgic appeal, these portable snack kits are often the perfect solution for a fast and easy lunch . But you may want to think twice before entering the lunches during your next grocery race, because a new report says they concerned lead levels.

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In a April 9 report , the non -profit advocacy group Consumer Reports revealed that it had recently tested several different kits for lunch and snacks for harmful ingredients. The survey covered 12 products purchased in stores, which included three types of lunches: turkey and cheddar cracked; Pizza at the pepperoni; And an additional cheese pizza.

Consumer Reports ended up finding that of all the brands tested - Kraft Heinz, Armor Lunchmakers, Good & Gather (Target), Greenfield Natural Meat and Oscar Mayer - Kraft Heinz's Lunchables contained the highest levels of lead and sodium.

"There is a lot to worry in these kits", " Amy Keating , a dietitian recorded at Consumer Reports, in a press release. "They are highly processed and regularly eat transformed meat, a main ingredient in many of these products, has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers."

Since there are no federal limits for heavy metals in food, consumer relationships have measured the percentage of lead in each product according to the maximum dose level authorized in California (Madl). According to his report, the Lunchable turkey and the Cheddar Cracker Stackers had the highest advance rate with 74% of California Madl.

The other two lunches, pizza at the pepperoni and additional cheese pizza followed just behind 73 and 69% of the Madl, respectively.

"This is a relatively high dose of heavy metals, given the small service service sizes, which vary from only 2 to 4 ounces", " Eric Boring , PhD, a chemist of consumer relationships that led the tests, said.

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Although there are no federal limits for heavy metals in food, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) do monitor and regulate Levels of lead in food due to potential health problems.

"Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or state of health," said FDA on its website. "The potential for harmful effects on the health of consumption of food contaminated by lead varies depending on the level of lead in food; consumer age; length, quantity and frequency of exposure to lead in Food and other exhibitions to different sources of directing sources and beneficial nutrients. "

Potential health effects According to exposure to lead may include damage to the brain and the nervous system, the slowdown in growth and development, learning and behavioral problems, as well as hearing and speaking problems, in particular In young children, according to centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But Kraft Heinz maintains that lunches do not exceed any regulatory limit, because lead content is still lower than California Madl, which is currently the strictest standard in the United States.

"[We] think that the results of their study are misleading, arousing an undue concern about the safety of our products - something we take seriously. The fact is that all lunch products meet strict safety standards established by government agencies, "said company in a statement Today . "The metals on which they concentrate are natural, and therefore low levels can be present in any food product. We do not add these elements to our products."

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Meanwhile, some experts warn against lunches due to recent conclusions.

"We do not think that anyone should regularly eat these products, and they certainly should not be considered a healthy school lunch," said Boring.

Consumer reports are also now petition The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw lunches from the National School Lunch Program. The USDA is currently authorizing two lunch kits: turkey and crackers at cheddar and additional cheese pizza - to be served at nearly 30 million children as part of the national school lunch program, according to the advocacy group .

"Lunches are not a healthy option for children and should not be authorized on the menu as part of the national school lunch program", " Brian Ronholm said the director of food policy at Consumer Reports, in a statement.

Ronholm continued: “The similar lunches and lunch kits that we have tested contain concerning sodium levels and harmful chemicals that can cause serious health problems over time. The USDA should withdraw lunches from the national school lunch program and make sure that children in schools have healthier options. ""