Lunchables
Encyclopedia
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. In late 2005 they were added to Sensible Solution's line of products and made healthier.
s, 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.
With Capri Sun Juice:
Without a Drink:
Value Twin Packs:
With Fruit:
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
.
Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer is an American meat and cold cut production company, owned by Kraft Foods, known for its hot dogs, bologna, bacon and Lunchables products.-History:...
brand in the United States and Dairylea
Dairylea (cheese)
Kraft Foods Dairylea Triangles, Dairylea Lunchables, and Dairylea Dunkers are a popular processed cheese product, available in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland....
in the United Kingdom. Many Lunchables products are produced at Kraft Foods, Inc.'s Fullerton factory in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
, and are then distributed across the nation. In late 2005 they were added to Sensible Solution's line of products and made healthier.
Lunchables combinations
A typical Lunchables meal combination includes crackerCracker (food)
A cracker is a baked good commonly made from grain flour dough and typically made in quantity in various hand-sized or smaller shapes. Flavorings or seasonings, such as salt, herbs, seeds, and/or cheese, may be added to the dough or sprinkled on top before baking...
s, small slices of meat, and an equal number of slices of cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
. 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
Capri Sun
Capri Sun is a brand of juice concentrate drink owned by the German Company WILD and sold in silver pouches. It was developed by Rudolf Wild in 1966 in Germany, where Capri Sonne has been a registered trademark since 1952. Capri Sun has been distributed in the United States since 1981. Kraft Foods...
drinks. Some are traditional flavors while others are the "Roarin' Waters" variant.
Certain varieties have bottled water with Tropical Punch flavored Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid is a brand of flavored drink mix owned by the Kraft Foods Company.-History:Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska, United States. All of his experiments took place in his mother's kitchen. Its predecessor was a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack...
mix.
Kraft began marketing Lunchables in the U.S. in 1988.
United States
With Water:- Turkey + Cheddar Sub
- Ham + American Sub
- Turkey + Cheddar Cracker Combo
- Ham + American Cracker Combo
- Deep Dish Cheese Pizza
- Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza
With Capri Sun Juice:
- Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers
- Turkey and American Cracker Stackers
- Ham and American Cracker Stackers
- Bologna and American Cracker Stackers
- Lower Fat Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers
- Lower Fat Ham and Swiss Cracker Stackers
- Lower Fat Ham and Cheddar Cracker Stackers
- Extra Cheesy Pizza
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Chicken Shake-Ups, BBQ Flavor
- Chicken Dunks
- Nachos, Cheese Dip and Salsa (originally called Taco BellTaco BellTaco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
Nachos)
Without a Drink:
- Turkey + Cheddar Sub
- Ham + American Sub
- Chicken + American Sub
- Breaded Chicken + Mozzarella Sub
- Ham & Cheddar with Crackers
- Turkey & Cheddar with Crackers
- Ham & Swiss with Crackers
- Ham & Cheddar with Crackers and Cookies
- Turkey & American with Crackers and Cookies
- Bologna & American with Crackers and Cookies
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Extra Cheesy Pizza
- Nachos, Cheese Dip & Salsa (originally called Taco BellTaco BellTaco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
Nachos) - Peanut Butter and Jelly
Value Twin Packs:
- Turkey, Mozzarella + Mini Ritz
- Ham, Cheddar and Mini-Ritz
- Chicken Strips
With Fruit:
- Cheese Pizza
- Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Stackers
- Ham and American Cracker Stackers
United Kingdom
- Ham 'n' Cheese Crackers
- Ham 'n' Cheese Subs
- Chicken 'n' Cheese Crackers
- Chicken 'n' Cheese Mini rolls
- Chicken 'n' Cheese Wraps
Discontinued Varieties
- All Star Burgers (originally had cola, but later had Capri SunCapri SunCapri Sun is a brand of juice concentrate drink owned by the German Company WILD and sold in silver pouches. It was developed by Rudolf Wild in 1966 in Germany, where Capri Sonne has been a registered trademark since 1952. Capri Sun has been distributed in the United States since 1981. Kraft Foods...
juice) - All Star Hot Dogs (originally had cola, but later had Capri SunCapri SunCapri Sun is a brand of juice concentrate drink owned by the German Company WILD and sold in silver pouches. It was developed by Rudolf Wild in 1966 in Germany, where Capri Sonne has been a registered trademark since 1952. Capri Sun has been distributed in the United States since 1981. Kraft Foods...
juice) - Taco BellTaco BellTaco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
Tacos - Mega Packs (later branded as "Maxed Out")
- Fun Snacks, smaller sized snack packs with a cookie, brownie, or crispy rice treat and frosting
- Pizza Swirls
- Chicken Shake-Ups, Nacho Cheese flavor
- Fun Fuel a healthier variation with a bagel sandwich or wrap, yogurt tube, and 100% fruit juice box
- Breakfast Lunchables (pancakes, waffle sticks, and cinnamon rolls)
- Pizza Stix
- Deluxe, adult oriented meal with two types of cheeses and spreads
Nutrition
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.Because of the growing concern of childhood obesity
Childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or wellbeing. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects...
, in 2004 Lunchables in the UK eliminated Capri Sun
Capri Sun
Capri Sun is a brand of juice concentrate drink owned by the German Company WILD and sold in silver pouches. It was developed by Rudolf Wild in 1966 in Germany, where Capri Sonne has been a registered trademark since 1952. Capri Sun has been distributed in the United States since 1981. Kraft Foods...
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
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid is a brand of flavored drink mix owned by the Kraft Foods Company.-History:Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska, United States. All of his experiments took place in his mother's kitchen. Its predecessor was a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack...
.