Youtube has helped elevate creators off of its platform onto a more business side. For some this may be a blessing, but others are led to believe that this has become the gateway for people who do not care about selling products that can improve the lives of their fans but rather making money to be wealthy. Lunchly is the newest example, and has become socially hated amongst fans and youtubers on the internet.
Lunchly, a prepackaged lunch, also a business rival to ‘Lunchables’ was an idea that was cultivated by three popular youtubers: Mr. Beast, otherwise known as Jimmy Doanldson, Logan Paul, and KSI, also known as Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji. It primarily aims to provide a “healthy” lunch alternative for children in the U.S. with three flavorful options such as Mini Pizza, Crackers with Ham and Cheese, and Nachos. As a sweet treat made by Mr. Beast himself is also provided: Feastables, a small chocolate bar, is given along with KSI’s and Logan Paul’s energy drink, Prime. Although it sounds well-meaning at first, discourse immediately erupted on X with people fuming over the influencer’s marketing choices.
Many pointed out that Prime should not have been added into Lunchly as the energy drink contains 200 mg of caffeine in a singular bottle, which is nearly 2-4 times the amount of caffeine a child should have a day depending on their age. When the marketing was released, a particular content creator spoke up– popular Minecraft Youtuber DanTDM took to X with his own concerns about Lunchly. “This is selling crap to kids who don’t know better than to trust people who are selling it to them. Do better.” Dan had become a vocal voice about products aimed at children as he became a father over the years, and he makes an effort to make sure other parents are aware of what their kids may consume which is why Lunchly made him speak out.
With the brand now being placed in the limelight as the newest thing for people to laugh at, all three creators took to DanTDM’s tweet with vastly different responses. The most shocking of the three being Mr. Beast’s response as he had been radio silent for months as he was in his own controversy for hiring a convicted sex offender and how his show on Prime Video, Beast Games, was being sued for neglect of participants. He responded quickly and explained that the meal was healthier due to added electrolytes Prime provides, although nutritionists and dietitians disagree on the healthiness. Logan Paul also chimed in saying that content creators had the right to create businesses and told Dan to not consume the product if he disliked it. KSI on the other hand had taken to mocking Dan by pulling out his merch and calling it crap, and for the next few days he had been openly insulting him.
Lunchly still aspires to be the new lunch brand for children in America, but with such a rocky start and questionable nutritional facts people are more inclined to Lunchables.
