Kraft Heinz Co (KHC) announced on Tuesday that it is discontinuing the Lunchables meals it created specifically for U.S. schools. These meals, introduced for the 2023-2024 academic year, were designed to adhere to school nutrition standards by reducing saturated fat and sodium content. However, they faced significant criticism from nutritionists and advocacy groups.
Consumer Reports, a reputable consumer watchdog, voiced concerns about the Lunchables meals’ high sodium levels and detected lead levels exceeding those found in other school lunch options. This, coupled with the overall low demand for the products, led Kraft Heinz to make the decision to pull them from school menus.
While the company stated that these school-specific Lunchables represented less than 1% of their overall Lunchables sales, their discontinuation still represents a notable shift for the food giant. Kraft Heinz emphasized that the decision would have a “negligible” impact on their business and left open the possibility of revisiting school offerings in the future.
The news of the Lunchables pullback comes as Kraft Heinz’s stock closed at $32.00 on Tuesday, down by 1.63% for the day. However, the stock gained 0.25% in after-hours trading. Year-to-date, Kraft Heinz’s stock has experienced a decline of 16.05%, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
This move by Kraft Heinz highlights the evolving landscape of school lunches and the increasing scrutiny surrounding the nutritional content of processed foods. The company’s decision to prioritize consumer concerns and adapt to changing market demands will be closely watched by the food industry and parents alike.
