Lunchtime critics, accusations of mold Prompt response from Logan Paul: “Try harder”

YouTuber, MrBeast, Logan Paul and KSI created Lunchly as what they said was a healthier alternative to Lunchables and other prepackaged meal kits, but the company has recently come under fire from doctors and other creators who accuse their products of being unhealthy and containing mold.

MrBeastwhose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, partnered with Paul and Olajide “KSI” Olatunji to present Lunchly in September.

Paul and KSI founded and own Prime hydrationwhile Mr. Beast founded and owns the chocolate and snack brand, Feastables.

“(Lunchly) is changing the grab-and-go game with an innovative approach that prioritizes quality ingredients and delicious flavors,” according to the company’s website. “We’re here to fuel your fun from lunchroom to breakroom by packing every (Lunchly) box with a PRIME hydration and Feastables bar.”

The Lunchly kits — Pizza, Turkey Stack ‘Ems and Nachos — contain real cheese, less sugar and fewer calories than their Lunchables counterparts, according to the study. company website. Although the kits appear to be healthier on paper, critics have argued that Lunchly kits are not much, if any, better for kids than Lunchables or any other prepackaged meal.

USA TODAY reached out to Lunchly on Monday but did not hear back.

Here’s what you need to know about the controversy surrounding Lunchly, including allegations of mold and over-the-top marketing.

Are Lunchly kits healthier?

A major difference between Lunchly and Lunchables is that the YouTuber’s meal kits contain significantly more electrolytes thanks to the inclusion of Paul’s and KSI’s Prime drinks.

While this sounds ideal, Dr. Brian Sutterer, who specializes in sports medicine and was presented by the American Medical Associationshared a conflicted view on X in September.

“Sodium rebranded as ‘electrolytes’ will one day be taught in marketing textbooks.” Sutterer wrote an X post.

Sutterer’s comments prompted Paul to respond to X, saying, “Crazy how no ‘sports medicine doctor’ can tell the difference between sodium and potassium. The 400 mg of electrolytes referred to is the potassium in PRIME, you moron.”

Doctor Mike, a YouTube personality who is a certified family doctorsaid sodium content was missing from the nutritional data seen on Lunchly’s website, and as a consumer “would like to compare the full electrolyte profile, which should include sodium.”

“It’s like having a PB&J sandwich label that says what’s in the sandwich … but then the sugar line just tells you what’s in the peanut butter,” said Dr. Mike, whose real name is Mikhail Oskarovich Varshavski , in a YouTube video addressing “Controversy at lunch.”

Dr. Mike said it’s fair to call Lunchly “healthier” but “more of a marketing tactic” because prepackaged meal kits don’t line up well with the recently adopted U.S. Department of Agriculture. nutrition standards for school lunches. The doctor called the criticism of YouTubers “unfair” because what they do is “not inherently problematic,” but said compliance with USDA standards should be the “minimum starting requirements” if they really intend to make healthier meals for children. .

Do Lunchly products contain mold?

Baking YouTuber Rosanna Pansino posted a video on October 19 titled “I tried Lunchly…it was MOLD!“In the video, Pansino, whose real name is Rosanna Jeanne Reardon, opens a Pizza Lunchly meal kit that was allegedly purchased ‘months before the expiration date,'” according to her video description.

Throughout the 20-minute video, Pansino criticizes the nutritional value of Lunchly, its creators and the meal kits.

“Some of the brightest minds on YouTube came together to create Lunchly, (and) they really care about people and their nutrition and their kids,” the YouTuber said. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I think I threw up a little saying that. None of them or foodies and I don’t even give a (expletive).”

Before Pansino’s video was posted, some social media users shared clips of themselves finding mold in their Lunchly products. TikTok user aU38a shared a post discovering the mold in their kit in a video on October 14, writing the caption: “I like blue cheese.”

A few more videos appeared on TikTok showing people who find mold in their Lunchly kits, incl Twitch streamer aSpicyCow who wrote on X“The whole reason I did this is because I did NOT believe the original source as she was clearly biased against mrbeast. So I wanted answers and bought every lunch I could find. I didn’t expect mold, but I found mold.”

In response to the mold allegations, Lunchly said Daily Mail in a statement, “All Lunchly products go through a strict review process to ensure the quality and safety of its products. This process consists of multiple inspections and approvals, including that of the USDA, before any product can leave the manufacturing facility.”

Logan Paul responds to the Lunchly controversy

Paul responded to the controversy surrounding Lunchly in a 2 minute video posted on X on Mondayincluding concerns about a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall paper hoax that it said an unidentified man wrote and placed on a refrigerator in a Fred Meyer store.

The YouTuber said Lunchly has not been recalled or discontinued, despite numerous social media users reporting otherwise. He also spoke about an alleged bomb threat at the Lunchly headquarters.

“It’s crazy to me that we’re a $4 lunch box, and within the first four weeks, our headquarters had a bomb threat,” Paul said. “We’d like to think this is all just a coincidence, but no, we call it a head.”

Paul also addressed the mold claims, explaining how “USDA inspects and approves every batch of finished food before it even leaves the (Lunchly’s) facility.” He acknowledged that problems can occur during transit, including broken seals and “mishandling” in stores.

“Like any product you buy problems can arise and our retail partners are great, they will offer a full refund,” according to Paul. “We will continue to innovate and improve our product as we seek to disrupt this archaic industry that has been run by the same corporate giants for the past 120 years. It’s a new era and operations will have to try harder. “

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Moldy Lunchly allegations, health criticism prompts Logan Paul’s response