Lunchtime criticism and press accusations prompt Logan Paul’s response: ‘Try harder’

YouTubers MrBeast, Logan Paul and KSI created Lunchly as what they say is a healthier alternative to Lunchables and other packaged meal kits, but the company has recently come under fire from doctors and other creators who accuse their products of being unhealthy and contain mold.

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

Paul and KSI founded and own Prime Hydration, and Mr. Beast founded and owns chocolate and snacks brand Feastables.

“(Lunchly) changes the grab-and-go game with an innovative approach that prioritizes quality ingredients and delicious taste,” the company’s website states. “We’re here to keep you entertained from the dining room to the break room, packing PRIME Hydration and a Feastables Bar into every (Lunchly) box.”

Lunchly’s Pizza, Turkey Stack ‘Ems and Nachos packs contain real cheese, less sugar and fewer calories than their Lunchables counterparts, according to the company’s website. Although the kits appear healthier on paper, critics argue that Lunchly kits are not much better for children than Lunchables or any other packaged food, if any.

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 exaggerated marketing.

Are Lunchly Kits Healthier?

One of the main differences between Lunchly and Lunchables is that YouTubers’ meal kits contain significantly higher amounts of electrolytes due to the inclusion of Paul’s and KSI’s Prime drinks.

While this sounds ideal, Dr. Brian Sutterer, who specializes in sports medicine and is represented by the American Medical Association, shared a controversial view of X in September.

“One day, marketing textbooks will teach to rebrand sodium as ‘electrolytes,’” Sutterer wrote in an X-post.

Sutterer’s comments led to Paul responding to him with an X, saying, “It’s crazy how even a ‘sports medicine doctor’ can’t tell the difference between sodium and potassium. The 400 mg of electrolytes mentioned is the potassium in PRIME, you idiot.”

Dr. Mike, a YouTube personality and board-certified family physician, said sodium content is missing from the nutrition facts provided on Lunchly’s website, and as a consumer he “would like to compare the entire electrolyte profile, which should include sodium.” “

“It’s like a PB&J sandwich label that says what’s in the sandwich… but then the sugar line only says what’s in the peanut butter,” Dr. Mike, whose real name is Mikhail Oskarovich Varshavsky, said in a YouTube video about “ Lunch dispute.”

Dr. Mike said it’s fair to call Lunchly “healthier,” but “it’s more of a marketing tactic” because the prepackaged meal kits don’t meet recently adopted USDA nutrition standards for school lunches. The doctor did call criticism of YouTubers “unfair” because what they do is “not inherently problematic,” but he said meeting USDA standards should be a “minimum starting requirement” if they truly aspire to cook healthier food for children. .

Do Lunchly products contain mold?

Rosanna Pansino, a baking YouTuber, posted a video on October 19 titled “I tried Lunchly…it was MOLD!” In the video, Pansino, whose real name is Roseanne Jean 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 Lunchly, its creators and the nutritional value of meal kits.

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

Before Pansino’s video was posted, some social media users shared videos of themselves discovering mold in Lunchly products. TikTok user aU38a shared a post about finding mold in his kit in an Oct. 14 video with the caption, “I like my blue cheese bro.”

Several more videos have surfaced on TikTok showing people finding mold in their Lunchly kits, including 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 all the lunches I could find. I didn’t expect mold, but I found mold.”

In response to the mold allegations, Lunchly told the Daily Mail in a statement: “All Lunchly products undergo a rigorous testing process to ensure product quality and safety. This process consists of numerous inspections and approvals, including USDA approvals. before any product can leave the manufacturing facility.”

Logan Paul responded to the Lunchly scandal

Paul responded to the Lunchly controversy in a two-minute video posted on X on Monday, including concerns about a fake Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall document that he said an unknown man printed and placed on his car refrigerator Fred Meyer. shop.

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 Lunchley’s headquarters.

“It’s just crazy to me that we have a $4 lunch kit and within the first four weeks there was a bomb threat at our headquarters,” Paul said. “We’d like to think it’s just a coincidence, but no, we’re calling Cap.”

Paul also addressed mold complaints, explaining how “the USDA inspects every batch of prepared food and approves it before it even leaves the facility (Lunchly).” He acknowledged problems could arise during transportation, including broken seals and “rough handling” in stores.

“As with any product you buy, problems can occur and our retail partners are excellent and will offer full refunds,” says Paul. “We are going to continue to innovate and improve our product in an attempt to disrupt this archaic industry that has been run by the same corporate giants for the last 120 years. This is a new era, and operators will have to try even harder. “

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Moldy Lunchly Allegations, Health Criticisms Draw Logan Paul Backlash