Parent sues Kraft Heinz over heavy metals in Lunchables
Kraft Heinz Foods is being sued after a report about the heavy metal content in Lunchables.
Last week, 5 On Your Side reported Consumer Reports found concerning levels of lead and other heavy metals in the popular children's meal kits.
While the levels are below regulatory limits, CR says, over time, they can lead to health and developmental problems.
A New York mother of two filed a class action lawsuit this week citing CR's testing and accusing Kraft Heinz of false, misleading and deceptive advertising.
"As recently proven by Consumer Reports, Kraft Heinz’s Lunchables meal kits are contaminated with levels of heavy metals that no reasonable parent would want their children to eat in a single meal," the suit reads.
"For over 30 years, parents have purchased Lunchables products, trusting them to be a safe and nutritious snack option for their children," it continues. "That parental trust, as it turns out, was misplaced."
Consumer Reports tested 12 store-bought lunch and snack kits and found concerning levels of lead, cadmium or both in all the kits.
Kraft Heinz, the parent company of Lunchables, Oscar Mayer and P3, told CR, “All our foods meet strict safety standards,” and said that “lead and cadmium occur naturally in the environment and may be present in low levels in food products.”
It's notable not all the kits tested were made by Kraft Heinz.
Smithfield Foods, which makes Armour Lunch Makers, said it adheres to “strict programs and policies that promote food safety and quality in every step of our value chain.”
Target, which makes Good & Gather products, didn’t respond to CR’s request for comment.
The sodium levels in these kits are also quite high, ranging from 460 to 740 milligrams -- nearly a quarter to half of a child’s daily recommended limit.
5 On Your Side asked Kraft Heinz to comment on the lawsuit. According to a spokesperson:
"We’re aware of the complaint and strongly disagree with the allegations. Certain substances like lead occur in the environment and can be found at low levels in agricultural products — whether on grocery store shelves, in the produce section, or grown in your back yard. Our products are safe for consumers, and we will vigorously defend our brand."
