Safe to Consume: Hormel and Lunchables Ingredients Meet Safety Standards

Lunchables and Hormel are well-known food brands that offer ready-to-eat meal options. Lunchables, a popular choice among kids, feature a variety of products like meats, cheese, pizza etc. 

Hormel, a trusted name in the food industry for over a century, is known for its wide range of meat products, including deli meats, bacon, pepperoni, and protein-packed snacks.

Currently, in a video viral on social media, both the brands are accused of using harmful ingredients in their products which are harmful upon consumption. It was claimed in the post that both Lunchables and Hormel contain Sodium Nitrate, BHA and BHT, artificial dyes and high fructose corn syrup. These ingredients are said to be carcinogenic and also cause serious health issues. 

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. Lunchables and Hormel products are safe to consume. All the ingredients mentioned in the post meet safety standards.

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Fact Check- 

We found that some of the products of both Lunchables and hormel contain sodium nitrite, BHA, BHT and high fructose corn syrup. You can check the products and ingredients here and here.

An article on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website states that BHA and BHT are used as preservatives in meat products, including sausage, pepperoni and dried meats. They are both Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The article also stated that this status hasn’t been reassessed since 1977 and these types of meat have been linked to serious health harms, including cancer and hormone disruption. 

Further it states that sodium nitrite is used to preserve and stabilize color in processed and cured meat and poultry products. Sodium nitrite has been approved for use in meat and poultry products since before 1958. Neither the USDA nor the FDA has reassessed its safety since 1984. Studies show sodium nitrite may cause cancer and reproductive toxicity

Lets check the safety of each of the ingredients mentioned in the post.

Sodium Nitrite: According to EFSA, the Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources (ANS) reviewed the safety of potassium nitrite (E 249) and sodium nitrite (E 250), which are used as food additives. They found that these nitrites are not likely to cause genetic damage or cancer based on animal studies. The main health concern was an increase in methaemoglobin levels (which affects how blood carries oxygen), so they set a safe intake level (ADI) at 0.07 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. This additive has been reviewed by food safety authorities like EFSA, JECFA, and SCF. 

Studies show that nitrites are almost fully absorbed by the body and mostly converted into nitrate and then passed out in urine. Some nitrite also turns into nitric oxide and other compounds. Lab tests on cells showed nitrites can damage DNA, but tests in live animals didn’t find clear evidence of this happening in the body.

High amounts of nitrites can cause methaemoglobinaemia, a condition where blood can’t carry oxygen properly. This can lead to symptoms like tiredness, breathing problems, and in very high amounts, it can be dangerous or even deadly.

Sodium nitrite is not considered a “food additive” under the official legal definition because it was approved for use before the 1958 Food Additives Amendment. These types of substances are called “prior-sanctioned substances.” That means sodium nitrite was already allowed by the FDA or USDA before the new rules about food additives were made, so it didn’t need to go through the same approval process as newer additives.

What is BHT and where is it used? 

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), is a lab made chemical and antioxidant that is added to food as a preservative. This is also used as medicine to treat genital herpes and AIDS. It is also used in a wide range of cosmetic formulations as an antioxidant. It is a common synthetic compound that is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations to stabilize the formulation and prevent its oxidation. It maintains the properties of a formulation like color, odour, and texture, which may change upon exposure to air.

BHT: As per FDA report, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is approved for use as a food preservative to prevent oxidation and extend shelf life, provided it meets a purity level of at least 99%. It can be used alone or combined with BHA. For the safety of the consumers, its concentration has been limited to specific levels in different foods products, such as 50 ppm in dry breakfast cereals and potato flakes, 10 ppm in potato granules, and up to 200 ppm in emulsion stabilizers for shortenings. FDA has ordered strict guidelines such as labels for products containing BHT must clearly state its presence, and if mixed with a carrier, the percentage must also be disclosed to ensure safety and transparency.

BHT has been extensively studied for its metabolism and toxicology. It is recognized as an effective antioxidant. According to reports, it may have vitamin E-like effects in fatty tissues and reduce certain tumour incidences in animal studies. At low dietary levels no toxic effects are observed. However, higher doses can lead to increased liver weight and elevated microsomal enzyme activity, which is generally reversible and not considered as toxic at standard usage levels. But the possibility of BHT affecting other tissues (like the lungs or gastrointestinal lining) requires further investigation. No immediate public health hazards have been identified so far. 

Artificial Dyes: Color additives are considered safe when used in accordance with FDA regulations. FDA had approved a list of color additives and set certain guidelines for its use in foods. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, all color additives and any new uses for them must be approved by the FDA before they can be legally used in food products. The FDA has also reviewed the potential effects of color additives on children’s behavior. While the scientific evidence shows that most children do not experience adverse effects from consuming foods containing color additives, some studies suggest that certain children may be sensitive to them.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: We found that the FDA received questions about the safety of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), often related to how the body processes fructose. The FDA stated that there is no evidence that HFCS is less safe than other sweeteners like sucrose (table sugar) or honey, which have similar amounts of glucose and fructose. However, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting all added sugars, including HFCS, to maintain a healthy diet, a guideline the FDA fully supports.

Conclusion:

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. Although Lunchables and Hormel products contain sodium nitrite, BHT, artificial dyes and high fructose corn syrup, they are safe to consume. FDA, EFSA and other food safety bodies declared these additives safe when consumed within limit.