When Logan Paul and MrBeast’s Lunchly brand launched their frozen pizza line as “a healthier alternative to Lunchables,” few predicted the quality control challenges they would face.
Recent reports of moldy cheese on Lunchly pizzas have sparked concerns about food safety protocols in direct-to-consumer (D2C) food brands, highlighting the importance of rigorous quality control in food manufacturing.
At Source86, every incident is a teachable moment. Our 40+ specialists don’t just source ingredients – we solve complex supply chain puzzles and turn roadblocks into results. By analyzing what went wrong at Lunchly, we can help our partners build more robust quality control systems and avoid similar challenges.
Beyond the box: quality control lessons from the Lunchly pizza incident
Food safety isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about trust. When that trust breaks down, it impacts everyone in the supply chain. At Source86, we solve these challenges every day. From sourcing perfect bulk oregano to crafting custom Italian seasoning blends, our team of 40+ specialists doesn’t just deliver ingredients—we provide peace of mind.
Let’s unpack this wake-up call and find actionable insights that keep your products safe and your customers confident.
Unpacking the incident
The first whiff of the Lunchly pizza scandal surfaced through a YouTube review that went viral for all the wrong reasons. The story spread faster than melted cheese, with the New York Post and countless consumers taking to social media to ask some chewy questions about what was happening in Lunchly’s kitchens.
Let’s face it – when influencers like Logan Paul and MrBeast put their names on something, people pay attention. That’s why this pizza mishap isn’t just another quality control hiccup – it’s a wake-up call for the entire food industry, especially private label or bulk wholesale suppliers working with tricky ingredients like dairy.
Why mold forms in cheese and how it can be prevented
So, what turns cheese from delicious to dangerous? It’s not rocket science, but it is food science. Think of cheese like temperamental superstars Logan Paul and MrBeast: they need the right conditions to perform. Too warm? You’ve got trouble. Package gets a tiny tear? That’s an open invitation for unwanted fuzzy visitors. And if suppliers aren’t following the safety playbook from the start? Well, you’ve seen the headlines.
Mold can form in cheese due to improper storage, transportation, or handling. This can happen at any stage of the supply chain.
- Improper temperature control: Cheese must be stored at the correct temperature from production to delivery as fluctuations create ideal conditions for mold to grow
- Packaging failures: If the packaging is compromised, air can enter, causing moisture and mold to bloom
- Lapses in supplier protocols: Suppliers must adhere to strict food safety protocols to prevent mold from contaminating batches before they reach the manufacturer
Why quality control matters
Consider this a wake-up call. According to the FDA, 48 million Americans have food-related illnesses yearly. That’s 131,506 people every day. But these aren’t just statistics; real people suffer from what’s on their plates.
For stakeholders in the food supply chain, it’s a nightmare scenario:
- Your reputation? It could vanish overnight
- Your wallet? Think millions in recall costs
- Your customers’ trust? That’s harder to win back than a game of hide-and-seek
Avoiding food safety pitfalls in the supply chain
Here’s the good news—these disasters are preventable. At Source86, we’ve built our reputation on helping food brands sleep at night. How do we do it?
1. We’re super selective with suppliers
Think of us as the VIP bouncers of the ingredient world. We partner only with suppliers who meet the highest industry standards – we’re talking about being BRCGS, ISO, and HACCP certified. Fun fact: we’re one of just 22 U.S. brokers holding an AA Grade BRCGS certification. That’s like having a platinum membership in the food safety club! This pickiness pays off – it means every ingredient that passes through our doors is traceable and top-quality.
2. We’re ingredient bodyguards
According to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, maintaining perfect temperatures and ideal storage conditions isn’t just good practice – it’s the law. As an importer, we monitor every step of the supply chain, from warehouse to delivery, to prevent issues like mold. We also provide quality control audits for private label partners—because peace of mind is included.
3. We’re supply chain sleuths
Transparency is the secret ingredient to preventing unfortunate food safety issues. Our advanced QC protocols let us trace any ingredient back to its source faster than you can say “recall.” Think of it as having a GPS for every grain, spice, and seasoning. If something’s wrong, we know exactly where to look and how to fix it.
4. We’re private-label matchmakers
For our private label friends, we’re not just suppliers – we’re innovation partners. Our R&D team loves playing matchmaker with ingredients, creating custom blends that meet your exact specs while hitting those strict BRCGS Standards for Agents and Brokers requirements. Whether you need a unique spice blend or a completely new formulation, we’re the folks who make the magic happen
The bigger picture: how this impacts consumer trust
Incidents like the moldy cheese in Lunchly’s Pizza Kit affect the immediate product and consumers’ overall trust in a brand. According to Green Matters, consumer reactions to food safety scandals can lead to long-term brand damage, especially in today’s digital age, where bad news spreads like moldy cheese.
What can we learn from Lunchly’s tough break?
- Quality control isn’t just a checkbox – it’s your brand’s lifeline
- Know where your stuff comes from – all of it
- Partner with suppliers who treat food safety like their religion
- Keep it real with your customers – they appreciate honesty
For more information on managing food safety and ensuring product quality, check out our guide on certificates of analysis and their role in maintaining trust.
Want to avoid becoming the next viral food safety story?
Whether you’re dreaming up the next big thing in private label or need rock-solid ingredients for your existing products, we’ve got your back. Our team knows their stuff, and we’re here to help you build something consumers can trust. Remember: in food manufacturing, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or, in this case, a whole lot of cheese!
