MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI’s latest business venture is receiving backlash from both fellow YouTubers and fans
Recently, Lunchly, the new meal subscription service from YouTube stars MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI, found itself at the center of a heated controversy. What began as a promising business aimed at offering healthier meal options for kids quickly spiraled into a public relations crisis.
Fans and fellow creators accused the trio of caring more about profits than ethics. As backlash grew, the Lunchly debate raised serious questions about the role of influencers in business and their responsibility to their audiences.
From Creators to Brands: A Changing YouTube Culture
YouTube has changed a lot over the years. It used to be a platform where small creators filmed low-budget videos in their bedrooms. But now it’s more corporate. Big creators are launching brands and selling products, which has raised concerns among longtime fans.
I feel bad for the new generation man. I’m glad I grew up with guys like DanTDM, Jacksepticeye, Markiplier, and Stampy who just made funny videos for you to enjoy. Nowadays YouTubers try and steal your soul by having you buy product after product. Times were simpler back the… https://t.co/89yxVQrs90 pic.twitter.com/a8Mxfw4dU2
— JackoBee🐝 (@bumble_bbgun) September 18, 2024
DanTDM, one of YouTube’s earliest stars, expressed his frustration with how things have evolved, especially in response to Lunchly. “What happened to YouTubers, man? This is selling stuff for the sake of making money, simple,” Dan tweeted.
What happened to YouTubers man..
— ᴅᴀɴᴛᴅᴍ💎 (@dantdm) September 16, 2024
I can't not say anything anymore. This is selling stuff for the sake of making money, simple. How does this benefit their fans?
This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them.
Do better. https://t.co/Uzz27bcxTA
He pointed out that creators like MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI are selling products to kids who trust them, without thinking about the consequences.
Dan continued, “This is selling cr*p to kids who don’t know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them. Do better.”
Dan’s criticism hit a nerve, leading to an outpouring of support from fans and other creators. Jacksepticeye, another popular YouTuber, backed him up, tweeting, “You mess with DanTDM, you mess with YouTube.”
This united response intensified the backlash against Lunchly. It also raised bigger questions about how YouTubers use their influence.
Why Lunchly Faces Criticism: Ethical Marketing and Fan Trust
The main issue with Lunchly isn’t just about the food. It’s about ethics. Critics say that although Lunchly is marketed as a healthier alternative to Lunchables, it’s still a processed product.
They believe it doesn’t offer real nutritional value. What makes it worse, they argue, is that the marketing targets kids. This group trusts these YouTubers.
Rosanna Pansino, a YouTuber known for her baking videos, voiced concerns about the claims Lunchly was making.
A few years ago I backed out of an 8 figure deal with Walmart because we couldn't make the food with as good of ingredients as I wanted (organic, no preservatives etc) at the scale needed.
— Rosanna Pansino (@RosannaPansino) September 17, 2024
People like MrBeast, KSI, and Logan Paul absolutely could. And yet they choose to do this.… https://t.co/FM2ldc4EpI
“While Lunchly may boast lower calories, that doesn’t make it a balanced meal for kids,” she said in a video discussing the controversy.
Zeltik, another creator, shared similar thoughts. He said that children need real nutrition, not snack products dressed up as healthy meals.
KSI, Logan Paul and Mr. Beast make me feel ashamed to call myself a YouTuber.
— Zeltik (@Zeltik) September 18, 2024
These three are already billionaires, or close to it, and still choose to leverage the massive influence they have over children to sell them cheap, ultra processed shit. https://t.co/Z0CsfX6B5n
Fans also joined in the criticism. Many expressed disappointment in the YouTubers for what they saw as exploitation.
One fan on Reddit wrote, “These influencers are already making millions, but they still push these products to kids who don’t know any better. It’s all about the money.”
This sentiment echoed across social media. More people called out the trio for putting profits over their young, impressionable fans.
MrBeast Defends Lunchly: ‘Healthier Than Lunchables’
The X account called Drama Alert released screenshots of multiple YouTubers responding to their Lunchly launch with the caption: “YouTubers are NOT happy with MrBeast, KSI, and Logan Paul’s new product.”
As the criticism grew louder, MrBeast stepped in to defend Lunchly. Known for being open and transparent with his fans, he responded to the claims by doubling down on the health benefits of the product.
He argued that Lunchly meals contain fewer calories, less sugar, and more electrolytes than Lunchables. This, he said, makes them a healthier choice.
In response to the popular YouTube channel DramaAlert, MrBeast said, “Lunchly meals contain more electrolytes and fewer calories than Lunchables.” While his defense was clear, it didn’t seem to settle the controversy.
It's weird to think about, but I was actually a fan of MrBeast at one point. I've watched every video he's uploaded since he counted to 100,000.
— Steven Asarch (@IAmAsarch) September 19, 2024
My opinion of his content started to sour when he became undeniably corporate. The charm of a small channel edgelord simply vanished https://t.co/O1VBMGdr7H
Critics pointed out that while the meals might have fewer calories, that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. Fans and fellow creators accused him of ignoring the bigger issue. That issue being the ethics of marketing such products to kids.
To make matters worse, MrBeast was already dealing with other controversies. These included workplace misconduct allegations and a lawsuit involving his Beast Games series. These unresolved issues added more fuel to the fire. They cast doubt on his leadership in the Lunchly project.
KSI Calls Out DanTDM for Hypocrisy
KSI, known for being bold and outspoken, didn’t stay silent. He fired back at DanTDM’s criticism, accusing him of hypocrisy.
KSI pointed out that Dan had promoted products like MunchPak in the past and even had his own line of toys. “Why criticize our business venture when you’ve done similar promotions in the past?” KSI said during a live stream.
“B-B-B-But he was talking about food jj”
— ksi (@KSI) September 18, 2024
He was sponsored, then promoted and made a whole video on MunchPak (a monthly sub box full of food and candy) to his Minecraft audience full of kids.
Now what? https://t.co/FcQCl830aN pic.twitter.com/Fhxpg9v0r8
His point was that many creators use their platforms to promote products. So why should Lunchly be treated any differently?
However, KSI’s response didn’t calm things down. Instead, it deepened the divide. Fans and creators argued that while other YouTubers have endorsed products, Lunchly was different.
They felt it was different because it targeted kids directly. This turned the debate into more than just a fight over a product. It became a discussion about the responsibilities of influencers and the power they have over their young audiences.
Jacksepticeye Joins the Lunchly Debate: Defending Ethics on YouTube
As the controversy gained momentum, Jacksepticeye entered the discussion, siding with DanTDM.
Jacksepticeye, who has successfully launched his own brands like Cloak and Top of the Mornin’ Coffee, knew the world of influencer businesses well. But he made it clear that he wasn’t on board with how Lunchly was being handled.
“You mess with DanTDM, you mess with YouTube,” Jacksepticeye tweeted. This brought even more attention to the situation. His tweet sparked an even bigger wave of support for Dan. It also brought more criticism of Lunchly.
You mess with DanTDM, you mess with youtube pic.twitter.com/WH0noEHUCG
— Jacksepticeye (@Jacksepticeye) September 18, 2024
Many fans felt that instead of addressing the real concerns, MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI were being defensive. This only made the backlash worse.
Fan Reactions to the Lunchly Scandal
The Lunchly scandal has revealed a major divide among YouTube fans. Some feel betrayed by their favorite creators. They believe they’re being exploited for profit.
A Reddit user summed it up: “It’s gross and everyone involved sucks. They could’ve easily developed a healthy pre-made meal for kids. But instead, they went the route of providing tasty cheap junk food. And they’re using their popularity with kids to sell it.”
On the other hand, there are fans who think the backlash is overblown. Twitch streamer xQc defended the creators, saying, “This is ‘Dan discovers business.’ Are people really just now realizing that influencers are in business too?”
He acknowledged the flaws in Lunchly but suggested that the outrage was exaggerated. He pointed out that larger corporations are rarely held to the same standards.
The Future of Influencer Businesses After Lunchly
For now, the Lunchly controversy has opened up important conversations about the role of influencers in business.
It’s not just about selling products. It’s about how those products are marketed and the ethics behind them.
Fans and fellow creators have made it clear that they expect more from influencers, especially when their audiences include children.
This scandal has raised the bar for what people expect from influencer-led businesses. Creators like DanTDM and Jacksepticeye have emphasized that transparency and honesty are crucial. Fans want to know that their favorite YouTubers care about their well-being—not just their wallets.
The big question now is how MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI will respond. Will they make changes to Lunchly to address the concerns, or will they move forward as planned?
Only time will tell if they’ve learned from this controversy. One thing is certain: the landscape of influencer marketing has changed. Fans are paying attention.
In the end, the Lunchly scandal shows just how powerful and complicated the relationship between influencers and their audiences has become. What started as a business venture has turned into a lesson in ethics, responsibility, and trust.
