Lunchables are directly entering schools for the first time|@kelbron|via Giphy

Starting this fall, Kraft Heinz’s ready-to-eat packaged Lunchables will be offered in school cafeterias under a new deal with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Lunchables are directly entering schools for the first time. But to meet NSLP guidelines, Kraft Heinz has reformulated the ingredients to have lower fat and sodium levels. The new bento-like box will have whole grains and more proteins.

The NSLP program provides meals at low and sometimes at no cost to nearly 30 million kids across America.

Not all are happy
Nutritionists and health experts in schools worry that even after the changes, Lunchables still serve less nutrition than freshly prepared foods.

They point out that sandwich meats, hot dogs and bacon are considered Group 1 carcinogens—the same category as cigarettes and asbestos—by the World Health Organization and can lead to health issues like stroke and diabetes.

But
Lunchables can be appealing to schools that have supply chain issues and labor shortages in their cafeteria. The School Nutrition Association survey found that nearly 93% of school nutrition programs are struggling with staffing.