“…doctors there believe they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years…”
More scare tactics!
Someone microwaving several bags of popcorn a day for years is likely not a consumer, we’re likely talking about a secondary distributer (someone using the popcorn as an ingredient in something else).
When the media reported this I’m sure there was few that reported the line about the amount of the exposure. They just jumped on the “We get to report about a danger in your own pantry!” bandwaggon.
Agreed. Copious consumption of anything, even water can cause illness or death. If there is an alternative to this chemical then it makes sense to use it and it appears the popcorn industry is doing that voluntarily. I’d say the armed gangs on our cities streets are a much greater threat to Americans than microwave popcorn. How about phasing them out?
I found this on Wikipedia. Even though these two former employees were awarded damages due to “diacetyl-induced respiratory problems”, the employers still continued to use it. Why?
After the workers filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency began an investigation into the chemical properties of microwave popcorn butter flavoring. In March 2004, former microwave popcorn plant employee Eric Peoples, of Joplin, Missouri, was awarded $20 million for permanent lung-injuries sustained while on the job.[4] On July 19, 2005, jurors awarded $2.7 million to another popcorn plant worker in Missouri for his claim of diacetyl-induced respiratory problems.[5]
This is no excuse:
“The two-year study by EPA researchers was completed in late 2005 and has been under wraps since then, prompting critics to charge that the agency was protecting industry interests. But an EPA spokeswoman said the delay was due to a string of requirements including scientific review, submitting the report to industry and the time it took to get into a scientific journal”
Actually there was an Associated Press article that I found regarding this gentleman. Fellow by the name of Wayne Watson up in Centennial, Colorado who “loved microwave popcorn so much he would eat at least two bags each night, breathing in the steam from the just-opened package, until doctors told him it may have made him sick”.
Now I personally can see where he may have been exposed to excessive levels of diacetyl by his own actions.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest come out every few months with another “scare” story of food ingredients that are bad and cause disease.
I wonder what that group thinks we should eat?
And I wonder who funds thier research?
It’s my understanding that if you use way too much of anything you can get some kind of medical problem. Some rat in a lab somewhere is eating too much salad with low fat dressing on right now and getting cancer. We should all stop eating salads. Junk science or junk legal system?
If we Americans weren’t so lazy we could eat whole, natural foods grown in our own gardens–and not worry about these instant, chemical based crap, they have us beleiving is “food”.
Haven’t I been hearing a lot of stories lately about contaminated “natural” foods? Back to nature huh? Ok, lets all live in caves and eat nuts and berries.
We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy.
“…doctors there believe they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years…”
More scare tactics!
Someone microwaving several bags of popcorn a day for years is likely not a consumer, we’re likely talking about a secondary distributer (someone using the popcorn as an ingredient in something else).
When the media reported this I’m sure there was few that reported the line about the amount of the exposure. They just jumped on the “We get to report about a danger in your own pantry!” bandwaggon.
Agreed. Copious consumption of anything, even water can cause illness or death. If there is an alternative to this chemical then it makes sense to use it and it appears the popcorn industry is doing that voluntarily. I’d say the armed gangs on our cities streets are a much greater threat to Americans than microwave popcorn. How about phasing them out?
Brings new meaning to the term ” lung Butter”.
I found this on Wikipedia. Even though these two former employees were awarded damages due to “diacetyl-induced respiratory problems”, the employers still continued to use it. Why?
After the workers filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency began an investigation into the chemical properties of microwave popcorn butter flavoring. In March 2004, former microwave popcorn plant employee Eric Peoples, of Joplin, Missouri, was awarded $20 million for permanent lung-injuries sustained while on the job.[4] On July 19, 2005, jurors awarded $2.7 million to another popcorn plant worker in Missouri for his claim of diacetyl-induced respiratory problems.[5]
This is no excuse:
“The two-year study by EPA researchers was completed in late 2005 and has been under wraps since then, prompting critics to charge that the agency was protecting industry interests. But an EPA spokeswoman said the delay was due to a string of requirements including scientific review, submitting the report to industry and the time it took to get into a scientific journal”
Actually there was an Associated Press article that I found regarding this gentleman. Fellow by the name of Wayne Watson up in Centennial, Colorado who “loved microwave popcorn so much he would eat at least two bags each night, breathing in the steam from the just-opened package, until doctors told him it may have made him sick”.
Now I personally can see where he may have been exposed to excessive levels of diacetyl by his own actions.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest come out every few months with another “scare” story of food ingredients that are bad and cause disease.
I wonder what that group thinks we should eat?
And I wonder who funds thier research?
Dang, now my little bits of cardboard TASTE like little bits of cardboard!!
It’s my understanding that if you use way too much of anything you can get some kind of medical problem. Some rat in a lab somewhere is eating too much salad with low fat dressing on right now and getting cancer. We should all stop eating salads. Junk science or junk legal system?
If we Americans weren’t so lazy we could eat whole, natural foods grown in our own gardens–and not worry about these instant, chemical based crap, they have us beleiving is “food”.
Haven’t I been hearing a lot of stories lately about contaminated “natural” foods? Back to nature huh? Ok, lets all live in caves and eat nuts and berries.