Lunchly, a brand of Lunchables created by popular YouTubers Mr. Beast, KSI, and Logan Paul, was recently brought into the spotlight due to a shocking discovery. Rosanna Pansino, a YouTube baker known for her channel Nerdy Nummies, found moldy cheese in one of the Lunchly packs she opened in a video comparing the brand to traditional Lunchables. The expiration date on the pack was December 8, 2024, but the mold was visible when she opened it on October 16, the day of filming.
Pansino’s finding raised concerns about the safety of the Lunchly products, especially for children who may not recognize mold and consume it unknowingly. The incident also sparked a series of alleged reports of mold in other Lunchly packs, although the extent of the issue is still unclear. Similar cases of moldy cheese have been reported in Lunchables in the past, indicating a recurring problem in the pre-packaged snack industry.
In her investigation, Pansino discovered that both traditional Lunchables and Lunchly snacks contain high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and processed sugars. Despite the higher price tag of Lunchly compared to Lunchables, the nutritional content of both products was found to be less than ideal. Pansino suggested that consumers could create a healthier alternative by assembling their own snack packs with fruit, crackers, and cheese for a similar cost.
The moldy cheese incident added to a series of controversies surrounding Mr. Beast, including workplace issues and criticisms of his Amazon Prime game show. However, the YouTuber defended Lunchly as a better-for-you alternative to traditional Lunchables, emphasizing the use of higher quality ingredients in their products. He acknowledged that fresh, homemade meals are the healthiest option but argued that providing a higher quality pre-packaged meal at a similar price point is a positive step.
Following the moldy cheese discovery, Pansino released unedited footage of the incident to refute claims that she had fabricated the story. She also responded to accusations from sources close to the product, who suggested she was lying about the mold in Lunchly. The ongoing controversy has prompted responses from both the company behind Lunchly and Mr. Beast’s team, with discussions about product quality, safety, and consumer trust.
As the Lunchly fiasco continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and transparency in the packaged snack industry. Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier alternatives to traditional convenience foods, and incidents like this highlight the need for greater accountability and oversight in the production and distribution of pre-packaged meals.