Microwave popcorn makers removing threatening chemical

By Sharon Dowell

Published: October 31, 2007

What's in your microwave popcorn these days?

Many consumers are giving their favorite brand of microwave popcorn a closer look to see whether the boxes specify that the contents are now free of diacetyl.

Popcorn companies are eliminating the chemical from its products after factory workers and at least one consumer claimed respiratory problems — often referred to as "popcorn lung” — after working in unsafe conditions with the chemical or being exposed to it by inhaling the fumes of cooked microwave popcorn on a daily basis. One factory worker has died from the effects of the chemical, it has been reported. The artificial butter flavoring, which contains diacetyl, is now recognized as possibly being harmful to consumers.

Pop Weaver brand of microwave popcorn, based in Indianapolis, was the first to reformulate its butter flavoring to eliminate diacetyl. The company announced in late August its products were diacetyl-free.

"We follow strict safety guidelines in manufacturing our products, so we've had no incidents among our associates related to diacetyl exposure,” said Mike Weaver, president of Weaver Popcorn Co.

"However, we know consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about this issue, so we've taken it out of our flavorings. It was a challenge to eliminate diacetyl from our flavorings and still maintain the great buttery taste that consumers love, but we've done it.”

On Sept. 5, officials with the American Pop Corn Co. of Sioux City, Iowa, which makes Jolly Time popcorn, announced it would be removing the chemical from its microwave popcorn products within 90 days.

"We are constantly working to optimize the flavor profile of all our microwave products and have been working over the past several months with our flavor suppliers to make this change,” said Garrett Smith, the company's president. That company's KettleMania, Healthy Pop 94 Percent Fat-Free Kettle Corn, Crispy N White and Crispy N White Light microwave products have no diacetyl.

Omaha, Neb.-based Con-Agra Foods, which manufactures Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands of microwave popcorn products, is working to eliminate diacetyl from its flavorings, spokeswoman Stephanie K. Childs said.

All three manufacturers report the reformulated products will have some type of diacetyl-free labeling on the containers, to make consumers instantly aware of the changes.

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