Lunchables are a line of instant children's meals manufactured by Kraft Foods, Inc. They are marketed under the Oscar Mayer brand in the United States and Dairylea in the United Kingdom. Many Lunchables products are produced at Kraft Foods, Inc.'s Fullerton factory in Fullerton, California, and are then distributed across the nation.[1] In late 2005 they were added to Sensible Solution's line of products and made healthier.
Contents |
A typical Lunchables meal combination includes crackers, small slices of meat, and an equal number of slices of cheese. Other varieties include pizza, small hot dogs, small burgers, nachos, subs, and wraps. Overall there are 25 different kinds of Lunchables meals. "Deluxe" versions, originally developed for adults, include two types of meats and two types of cheeses. Deluxe versions usually also contain a sauce and a mint. A larger version of Lunchables meal combinations called “Maxed Out” was also available, now discontinued.
Certain varieties contain Capri Sun drinks. Some are traditional flavors while others are the "Roarin' Waters" variant. Certain varieties have bottled water with Tropical Punch flavored Kool-Aid mix.
Kraft began marketing Lunchables in the U.S. in 1988.[2]
With Water:
With Capri Sun Juice:
Without a Drink:
Value Twin Packs:
With Fruit:
In 1997, Lunchables came under fire for having high saturated fat and sodium content while being marketed as a healthy children's meal. For example, a single serving of Ham and Swiss Lunchables contained 1,780 milligrams of salt, which is 47 percent of the recommended daily allowance for an adult.[5][6]
Because of the growing concern of childhood obesity, in 2004 Lunchables in the UK eliminated Capri Sun drinks and mini Dime Bars, and replaced them with orange juice and strawberry yogurt. They also made changes to the standard Reese's cups that came in Lunchables, they began offering lower calorie candy alternatives. Capri Sun and candy are still available in US Lunchables.
In 2005, Lunchables was added as a Sensible Solutions product and exceptionally unhealthy items were no longer included in the packages. For example, a pepperoni pizza package was at 690 calories, but it is now listed at 530 calories. Many Lunchables products now contain Airheads, Kool Aid, fruit cups, and Capri Sun products, while before they contained Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Tropical Punch flavored Kool-Aid.