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PFOA and Microwave Popcorn

The invention of microwave popcorn seemed like the greatest invention for all us popcorn lovers.   I have to say it has been one of our favorite snacks around the house, especially on Friday nights when we have family movie night!  I recently read information about microwave popcorn that alarmed me enough to throw ours in the trash. The FDA has recently discovered dangers associated with a chemical coating perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) that is in the lining of the popcorn bag that is released when the microwave heats. The EPA has identified PFOA as “likely a carcinogen to humans” (http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/hs~faq.html).  PFOA also causes infertility, birth defects; increased cancer rates, changes in lipid levels and adverse effects on the immune system (in animal testing).  It’s also found in stain resistant products for clothing, furniture, carpet and anti-stick Teflon pots, pans and utensils.  Some pizza makers are using it for their pizza boxes to resist grease build up. 

If that’s not bad enough there is also very concerning information about diacetyl which is a chemical in the butter flavoring of most microwave popcorn brands and has been associated with a lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans which causes pulmonary inflammation and obstruction of the lungs.  Several microwave popcorns manufacturers such as, Orville Redenbacher, Act II, Pop Secret and Jolly Time removed diacetyl after studies and reports came out about the lung disease associated with it.  I looked over the ingredients on a few microwave popcorn boxes while at the grocery store and they only list “natural and artificial flavor and color added”. Since the box doesn’t say diacetyl free then I would assume it’s not.

It’s time to go back to the basics when it comes to popcorn.  Buy whole kernels and coat the bottom of your pan with oil, cover and wait until the popcorn pops.  As a kid, I remember enjoying the process of making popcorn almost as much as I did eating it. I also found that Trader Joe’s sells air popped popcorn in their snack section. Another alternative to this method would be to buy an air popper which is fun and chemical free!

Interesting Reads:

Perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PFOA

PFOA’s and the Teflon Don http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.music.gdead/2005-07/msg00646.html

PFOA’s http://www.ewg.org/node/18390

Diacetyl and Food Flavorings containing Diacetyl http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/diacetyl-guidance.html

Doc Warns that Prolonged Exposure to Microwave Butter Popcorn Fumes Could Cause Lung Disease, Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295761,00.html

Health and Fitness on Popcorn Flavoring, April 2009 http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2009/04/did_artificial_flavoring_hurt.html

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