Tovala expands meal kit service with family portions, but nutritionists warn of excessive salt and fat

Tovala has launched a new line of family-style meal kits specifically engineered to serve four people, a significant shift from its previous offering which was limited to single-serve portions. This expansion aims to broaden the service's appeal beyond solo diners and couples, allowing the company's proprietary smart oven to cook multiple servings simultaneously. The new kits utilise the oven's bottom rack and air-frying basket, employing tiled aluminum trays to fit four portions into the existing countertop footprint.

The cooking mechanism remains consistent with the company's original model, relying on laser-guided QR codes to automate the entire process. Users simply deposit ingredients into designated aluminum trays and hold up a QR code to the oven's laser, which then steams, convects, broils, and bakes the food according to preprogrammed steps. While the reviewer notes that the food is fresh and convenient, the preparation time for these family meals is approximately 10 minutes, compared to under three minutes for the single-serve options due to the increased number of bags and ingredients.

Nutritional concerns, however, remain a primary focus of the review. The new family meals are characterised by extremely high sodium and fat content, with one specific meal containing 2,300mg of sodium per serving. This amount represents nearly the entire daily recommended allowance for an adult. Furthermore, the cholesterol levels in the meals were found to be ten times higher than comparable frozen lasagna, leading to the conclusion that the food resembles restaurant dining rather than traditional home-cooked meals.

Pricing for the new family meal boxes is approximately $36 for four servings, which works out to $9 per serving. This is cheaper per serving than the single-serve options, although an $11 shipping fee applies per box. To utilise the service, consumers require the Tovala Smart Oven Pro, which costs $349 and includes a steam function, or the original model priced at $299. Both hardware options receive significant discounts when bundled with a six-week meal plan.

The company offers a 100-day money-back guarantee, providing ample time for users to test the six-week meal subscription. While the oven is described as competitive with other countertop models regarding heat precision and evenness, the reviewer suggests that the high-calorie, high-fat profile of the food may not suit everyone. The meals are noted to be particularly appealing to parents or those in the retirement bracket who desire hearty, low-effort dining, though this comes at the cost of a less sustainable nutritional profile.