Who wants some non-toxic popcorn?
Thanks to a recent decision by some of popcorn's top dogs -- Redenbacher, Pop Secret, etc. -- the air quality at your next movie night should be a little less toxic. The top 4 popcorn makers are removing a chemical in microwave popcorn has been linked to a form of bronchitis obliterans, a.k.a. 'popcorn lung.' As you probably guessed, the culprit is that horribly deliciously fake butter flavoring that we've all grown to love, and the chemical responsible -- diacetyl. 
Now, it may sound like something created by a mad scientist in his secret lair, but diacetyl occurs naturally in fruit, butter and cheese. Apparently, workers develop popcorn lung from standing over flavoring vats, breathing diacetyl fumes for extended periods of time, at least that's what their lawyers claim. Although the FDA approves the use of diacetyl, popcorn manufacturers are tired of handing out cash settlements to their workers who are coughing up their lungs -- way to go legal system!
Apparently, the risk for consumers is negligible unless you like to inhale the face-melting fumes that escape after first opening the bag. Diacetyl should be off of store shelves by mid-January. Until then, remember -- don't huff the fumes unless its Newman's Own!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-21-2007 @ 6:41AM
KERNEL said...
The Boy Scouts of America also sell non-toxic popcorn, actually Trail's End is the FIRST to be able to say so. Help support a great organization by buying popcorn from a scout!
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12-21-2007 @ 8:31AM
Marilu said...
Although the boy scouts is a wonderful organization, I have to admit that Trails End is the worst tasting popcorn I have ever had. My step son used to sell it every year and I would cringe when it came time to purchase some.
12-27-2007 @ 12:49PM
Jon Boy said...
Yeah that Trails End popcorn is really bad. I'd rather eat popcorn that was pop weeks ago than have a fresh bowl of Trails End pop corn.
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12-21-2007 @ 6:50AM
Alex said...
Oh popcorn and TV =))))
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12-21-2007 @ 7:13AM
Dorothy said...
I never use microwave popcorn. I only get the kind you pop from kernals and add your own flavors. It's more tasty and healthy.
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12-21-2007 @ 7:34AM
Jay Hall said...
One of my favorite treats is popcorn when I am watching a movie. I did not know about the toxic problems with the instant popcorn in the bag. I will have to try the new product and see if the taste is the same.
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12-21-2007 @ 12:26PM
Cheryl said...
My kids and I have always loved microwave popcorn...of course, except when it burned. When it came out in the news that it is hazzardous due to the chemical that gives it it's buttery taste and aroma it really unnerved me. We have always inhaled the toxic fumes, especially right after opening the bag...being non the wiser to the dangers. They say in this article and another that I found online this week, that us consumers aren't at risk...that is a down right lie. Go to webmd.com and locate the info they have...they tell of at least one consumer death that was attributed to the vapors of diacetyl. It's a shame that the FDA doesn't pull all of the nuker popcorn off the shelves, and not let the public continue purchasing the product until it's gone. How caring!!!!!
12-21-2007 @ 9:11AM
Abbie Pence said...
I didn't realize microwave popcorn could be toxic. Just another thing to add to my arsenal of retorts. I pop and sell kettle korn. The REAL stuff. We ship it nationwide. Happy holidays!!!
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12-21-2007 @ 10:21AM
DAVID said...
WHOLE FOODS 365 BRAND POPCORN...
CHEAP ORGANIC AND THE BEST TASTING!
FIND ME A BETTER AND ILL BUY YOU A CASE!
Reply
12-21-2007 @ 10:53AM
Dottie said...
Hi David -
Here is the best popcorn in the world - and I've been eating popcorn FOREVER. It's expensive as hell but for me well worth it. Every flavor (all 14) is exceptional.
Best wishes.
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12-21-2007 @ 10:38AM
Kristin said...
Why not just buy unpopped kernels in a jar and make them over the stove like people used to do before microwave popcorn was invented?
All of these food products designed to make our lives "easier" always end up with negative health side effects.
Eat what comes from nature and you'll always be fine.
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12-21-2007 @ 11:08AM
Natalie said...
I gave up on flavored microwave popcorn more than a year ago, partly because of the chemicals and also because of the calories. Now I pour 1/4 cup of unflavored kernals into a small brown paper bag (the size that you can pack a lunch in), fold over the top and put that in the microwave for 2 minutes to pop. I flavor it with "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" spray and some salt. It tastes great! And has waaay fewer calories.
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12-21-2007 @ 11:19AM
Linda G. said...
Nearly all corn grown in the US is GM,unless its organic you are eating Genetically Modified food...
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12-21-2007 @ 12:50PM
Mike said...
Mix diacetyl with morphine, you get heroin. Nuff said.
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12-21-2007 @ 1:17PM
Sarah said...
i luv the smell of popcorn , and the breez smell of freshly dyed cleaning and the pungent odor of oven cleaner and the repellant from a forced spray top,
America smells WONDERFUL !
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12-21-2007 @ 1:30PM
Fritaly said...
popcornindiana.com
We've tried the kettle corn, movie theatre, and the cheddar, all wonderful.
Also comes in honey mustard (pretty hot) and BBQ (don't know what that's like yet)
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12-21-2007 @ 1:39PM
Mark said...
You guys are crazy. The Trails End popcorn sold by the Boy Scouts tastes GREAT! It is better than anything you can buy in the store. And our troop has plenty of satisfied customers to back up this claim.
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12-21-2007 @ 1:53PM
Roger E. Kergaravat said...
Sorry, folks but the corporate/industrial complex strikes again with the duplicity of the ignorant government watchdogs. The "diacetyl toxicity" charge is a red herring.A good one I'll grant you, because it is toxic BUT it is not the primary cause of the lung cancer clusters at the national spread out popcorn processing plants. The culprit is the corn, which would better be used to make automotive fuel. Corn is SUGAR and when it is heated to an explosive temperature it emits the "lung debilitating" toxic gas. Try getting some info on this from WAL-MART corporate hqs. They stopped making popcorn in their national outlets when they got wind of the cancer clusters. Now unfortunately they've allowed oriental nail polish salons to pollute their air. Sam Walton would roll over in his grave knowing what his descendants are allowing to be done to their cutomers , just to share the burden of the cost of the rent. Hopefully , TARGET will soon get the word about the popcorn cancer clusters before their employees start filing 'class action suits' against them.
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12-21-2007 @ 2:33PM
me said...
did the Scouts change their popcorn or something? I bought some this year and it was actually pretty good. I wasn't expecting much - just trying to help out a neighbor boy, but was pleasantly surprised.
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