Current:Home > ContactKraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand -Aspire Money Growth
Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
View
Date:2025-04-12 14:44:57
Food and beverage manufacturer Kraft Heinz said Tuesday that it no longer is serving the Lunchables meals it created for U.S. schools.
The company introduced the two packaged meals — one starring pizza and the other a turkey, cheddar cheese and cracker plate — at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year. At the time, Kraft Heinz said the offerings were protein-enriched and contained reduced levels of saturated fat and sodium to meet the requirements of the national free and reduced-price school lunch program.
Nutritionists and advocacy groups were not thrilled by the launch. The Center for Science in the Public Interest called having Lunchables in cafeterias “a highly questionable move for school nutrition” that might confuse families into thinking the versions sold at supermarkets were a healthy option.
The drumbeat quickened in April, when Consumer Reports said its tests showed the school-approved Lunchables contained more sodium than the store varieties. The organization also reported that commercially available Lunchables had more lead compared to ready-made meals made several other companies.
Consumer Reports petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ban Lunchables and similar processed meal kits from schools.
In a statement, Pittsburgh-based Kraft Heinz attributed the decision to pull out of the market served by the National School Lunch Program to a lack of demand. The company described the business impact as “negligible,” saying sales of the school-designed meals “were far less than 1% of overall Lunchables sales” during the last academic year.
“Last year, we brought two NSLP compliant Lunchables options to schools that had increased protein. While many school administrators were excited to have these options, the demand did not meet our targets,” the statement said. “This happens occasionally across our broad portfolio, especially as we explore new sales channels. Lunchables products are not available in schools this year and we hope to revisit at a future date.”
The Kraft Heinz Co. produces a wide range of familiar products, including Capri Sun juice pouches, Oscar Meyer hot dogs, Grey Poupon mustard, Kool-Aid and Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
veryGood! (31188)
Related
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Michael Jackson's Son Prince Shares Heartbreaking Message on 15th Anniversary of His Death
- Teresa Giudice’s Daughter Milania Graduates High School—And We Bet You Feel Old AF
- Marilyn Monroe's final home saved from demolition, designated a Los Angeles cultural monument
- Trump's 'stop
- Julian Assange is now free to do or say whatever he likes. What does his future hold?
- Kate Spade 4th of July 2024 Sale: Extra 50% Off Sale Styles, Up to 65% Off Bags & More
- Tesla ordered to stop releasing toxic emissions from San Francisco Bay Area plant
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- How property owners and lawmakers are turning the tables on squatters
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Lisa Rinna Looks Unrecognizable With Spiky Blonde Hair Transformation
- 2024 NBA draft: Grades and analysis for every round 1 pick
- Detroit Pistons select Ron Holland with 5th pick in 2024 NBA draft. What you need to know
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Bill Gates' Daughter Phoebe Is Dating Paul McCartney's Grandson Arthur
- Phoebe Gates confirms relationship with Paul McCartney's grandson Arthur Donald in new photos
- Drinking water of almost a million Californians failed to meet state requirements
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
The Supreme Court seems poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho, a Bloomberg News report says
What if every worker in America were auto-enrolled in retirement savings?
Dunkin' unveils lineup of summer menu items for 2024: See the new offerings
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Khloe Kardashian Slams Kim Kardashian for Projecting Her Bulls--t
Here's how and when to watch Simone Biles at 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials
The Supreme Court seems poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho, a Bloomberg News report says