Popcorn Lung
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.
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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_214853_83.html
Keywords: bronchiolitis obliterans, butter flavor, conagra
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