Popcorn firms removing flavoring chemical (diacetyl)

[OhioChick]

Source: AP

Associated Press / December 18, 2007

OMAHA - The nation's four biggest makers of microwave popcorn have removed a flavoring chemical linked to a lung ailment in popcorn plant workers from nearly all their products.

The companies say all their microwave popcorn recipes should be changed by January.

But it might take several months for the reformulated popcorn to replace all the older varieties on store shelves.

In August, the Weaver Popcorn Co. of Indianapolis said it had removed the butter flavor diacetyl from all its microwave popcorn varieties.

ConAgra Foods Inc. of Omaha; General Mills Inc. of Golden Valley, Minn.; and the American Pop Corn Co. of Sioux City, Iowa, all promised in September to change their microwave popcorn recipes. Those three companies sell Orville Redenbacher, Act II, Pop Secret, and Jolly Time microwave popcorn.



Read more: http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/12/18/popcorn_firms_removing_flavoring_chemical/

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. What chemical will now be used to give popcorn that "real butter" flavor?

You know they won't be using real butter.

[Frank Cannon]

3. I'm sure there's some sort of lead compound with a buttery taste

Or maybe a chemical that turns into a chemotherapy drug when ingested.

These big corporations love us so.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. Good, I gave up microwave popcorn after I heard about that.

It was one of my favorite snacks, and now I can partake again without worry.

[MissB]

5. I bought some at Costco (okay, not some but alot).

I mean, Costco sells it by the freaking case, so it is way more than just "some". Anyway, I bought the box in October - and the box was stamped "diactyl free". Orville brand.

[progressivebydesign]

4. This is a positive step...

Strange how we've all come to just accept the chemical junk in our foods.

[SharonAnn]

11. "Popcorn Lung" has been known for some time. Companies, of course, denied it vehemently.

They denied diacetyl was the cause, they fought the proposed regulations, they looked just like the tobacco companies to me.

[pipoman]

6. OK

:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

Simple solution:

1/2 cup of popcorn (you know, the stuff that comes in a clear plastic bag with nothing in the bag but corn)

1 paper lunch bag

2 staples

real butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, cinnamon sugar, or any other toppings not made in a la-bor-a-tory

Put the corn (and only the corn) in the paper bag.

Fold the bag over around 1/2" two times.

Staple the fold exactly 2 times around 2" between the staples.

Microwave on high for 2-3 min

Open the bag and put on the toppings which don't cause lung cancer, anal seepage or any other unwanted maladies

We haven't bought those microwave bags for several years.

[DLnyc]

8. Small question: aren't staples a no-no inside a microwave?

I don't actually own a microwave, so I'm not too up on the subtleties. I always heard that metal was bad in a microwave, though.

(I guess it wouldn't be hard to sew a bag shut with a few stiches of thread?)

PS I applaud your idea of not having to buy all the preprocessed junk they try to stuff down our throats, when homemade solutions are not that difficult.

[pipoman]

9. Exactly 2 staples 2-3" apart with

neither of them touching the sides of the microwave will do no harm. I have done this hundreds of times in several different microwaves with no problems. Do be careful of the steam when the bag is opened.

[gulfcoastliberal]

7. Whirley-Pop is da bomb, yo!

http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35

[Frank Cannon]

10. I have one, and yes, it's awesome

I would say it gets more use around here than almost any other kitchen "gadget".