Popcorn Lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, results from exposure to diacetyl, a chemical used in butter flavoring in microwave popcorn and other food products. Those affected by diacetyl's toxicity develop symptoms including shortness of breath, hardening of the lung tissue and dry cough, which steadily worsen. Even after a person's exposure to diacetyl is eliminated, the lung damage cannot be reversed. The most serious cases of popcorn lung are life threatening and require individuals to undergo a lung transplant.

Consumers At Risk?

Up until recently, it was believed that Popcorn Lung only affected factory workers who make popcorn. But on September 5, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that it received a report from a Denver doctor stating the a consumer had developed what appeared to be Popcorn Lung. The FDA first learned of this potential consumer case by way of a July 18 letter from a doctor who described a patient who developed progressively worsening respiratory symptoms that resemble the ones described by workers affected by bronchiolitis obliterans, which has been linked to inhaling the food additive diacetyl.

The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States expressed its concern by stating "This new information . . . suggests a possible association between inhaling the fumes from the preparation of several bags of heavily butter-flavored microwave popcorn each day when the butter flavor ingredient diacetyl and the development of the patient's severe respiratory illness."

Industry Reaction

ConAgra Foods Inc., maker of Orville Redenbacher and Act II microwave popcorn brands are dropping diacetyl from its butter-flavored microwave popcorn in the "near future." Last month, Weaver Popcorn Co Inc., maker of Pop Weaver microwave popcorn, said it removed diacetyl from its microwave popcorn, in part to adddress consumers' concerns about the ingredient.

Please call Claudine Homolash at (800) 883-2299 or (215) 790-7300 for a free consultation.