YouTubers MrBeast, Logan Paul and KSI created Lunchly as a healthier alternative to Lunchables and other prepackaged meal kits, but the company has recently received criticism from doctors and other creators who accuse their products of being unhealthy and containing mold.

MisterBeastreal name Jimmy Donaldson, teamed up with Paul and Olajide “KSI” Olatunji to present Lunchly in September.

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

“(Lunchly) is changing the takeout 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 the dining room to the break room by packing every (lunch) box with PRIME hydration and a Feastables bar.”

Lunchly kits – Pizza, Turkey Stack ‘Ems and Nachos – contain real cheese, less sugar and fewer calories compared to their Lunchables counterparts, according to the company website. Although the kits seem healthier on paper, critics have argued that Lunchly kits are not really better, if any, for children than Lunchables or any other prepackaged meal.

USA TODAY contacted Lunchly on Monday but did not receive a response.

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

Are Lunchly kits healthier?

A major difference between Lunchly and Lunchables is that YouTubers’ meal kits contain a significantly higher amount 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 presented by the American Medical Associationshared a contradictory view on X in September.

“Sodium, renamed “electrolytes,” will one day be taught in marketing textbooks,” Sutterer wrote an article.

Sutterer’s comments led Paul to respond to him on X saying, “It’s crazy how even a ‘sports doctor’ can’t tell the difference between sodium and potassium.” The 400 mg of electrolytes referenced is the potassium in PRIME, stupid.

Doctor Mike, a YouTube personality who is a certified family doctorsaid that sodium content is not included in the nutritional information displayed on Lunchly’s website and that as a consumer he “would like to compare the entire electrolyte profile, which should include sodium.”

“It’s like having a PB&J sandwich label that tells you what’s in the sandwich…but then the sugar line only tells you what’s in the peanut butter,” said Doctor Mike, real name Mikhail Oskarovich Varshavski, in a YouTube video addressing the “Lunch controversy“.

Dr. Mike said it’s fair to call Lunchly “healthier” but “more so as a marketing tactic” because prepackaged meal kits don’t fit well with guidelines recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Health. Agriculture. nutritional standards for school meals. The doctor called criticism of YouTubers “unfair” because what they do “is not inherently problematic,” but said meeting USDA standards should be “the minimum starting requirement ” if they were indeed aiming to prepare healthier meals for children. .

Do Lunchly products contain mold?

Rosanna Pansino, a YouTube pastry chef, posted a video on October 19 called “I tried Lunchly…it was MOLDY!” In the video, Pansino, real name Rosanna Jeanne Reardon, opens a Pizza Lunchly meal kit that was allegedly purchased “months before its expiration date,” according to her video’s description.

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

“Some of the brightest minds on YouTube came together to create Lunchly, (and) they truly care about people, their food and their children,” the YouTuber said. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I think I threw up a little saying that. None of them, or the foodies, care either.”

Before Pansino’s video was posted, some social media users shared clips of them finding mold in their Lunchly products. TikTok user au38a shared a post discover the mold in their kit in an October 14 video, writing the caption: “I like my cheese moldy.”

Several other videos appeared on TikTok showing people finding mold in their Lunchly kits, including Twitch streamer aSpicyCow who wrote about“The only reason I did this is because I DID NOT believe the original source as it clearly had a bias 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 the daily mail in a statement, “All Lunchly products undergo a rigorous review process to ensure the quality and safety of its products. This process consists of multiple inspections and approvals, including that of the USDA, even before “a product can leave the manufacturing plant.”

Logan Paul responds to Lunchly controversy

Paul responded to the controversy surrounding Lunchly in a 2 minute video published on X Mondayincluding concerns about a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall hoax that claimed an unidentified man tapped and put on a refrigerator at a Fred Meyer store.

The YouTuber said Lunchly was not recalled or discontinued despite many social media users reporting otherwise. He also discussed an alleged bomb threat at Lunchly headquarters.

“It’s just crazy to me that we had a $4 meal kit 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’re calling it a ceiling.”

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

“As with any product you purchase, problems can arise and our retail partners are great, they will offer you a full refund,” according to Paul. “We will continue to innovate and improve our products while attempting to disrupt this archaic industry that has been run by the same corporate giants for 120 years. This is a new era and operations are going to have to redouble their efforts. “

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Moldy Lunchly claims, health criticism prompt Logan Paul to respond