Chemical in Popcorn Linked to Lung Problems

From the September 6, 2007, Toronto Star, page unknown, is an article about diacetyl in popcorn:

POPCORN FIRM DUMPSDIACETYL
ConAgra will replace chemical that's linked to workers' lung ailment

Josh Funk
Associated Press

Omaha, Neb. - ConAgra Foods Inc., the largest microwave popcorn maker in the United States, will change the recipe for its Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands over the next year to remove a flavouring chemical linked to a lung ailment in popcorn plant workers, the company said yesterday.

The announcement comes a day after a doctor at a leading lung research hospital warned in a letter to federal regulators that consumers, not just factory workers, may be in danger from fumes from buttery flavouring in microwave popcorn.

ConAgra spokesperson Stephanie Childs said the company decided in recent months to remove the butter flavouring diacetyl from its popcorn because of the risk to workers who handle large quantities.

The chemical diacetyl has been linked to cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare life-threatening disease often called popcorn lung.

ConAgra's announcement comes a week after Weaver Popcorn Co. of Indianapolis said it would replace its butter flavouring ingredient because of consumer concern.

ConAgra's change from diacetyl to another butter flavouring will be made sometime over the next year.

"We've made that decision based on the knowledge for the potential risk to our employees," Childs said.

The Omaha-based company has been making changes at its popcorn plants over the past few years to reduce employee exposure to diacetyl, Childs said, but doesn't believe diacetyl in popcorn represents a safety risk to consumers. "We're fully confident microwave popcorn is safe for consumers in the home."

On Tuesday, it was reported that pulmonary specialist Dr. Cecile Rose of Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center had written to federal agencies in July to say doctors there believe they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years.

A government study looking at what fumes are produced by microwaving popcorn at home is due to be published as soon as his month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday.

The two-year study by EPA researchers was completed in late 2005 and has been under wraps since then, prompting critics in charge the agency was protecting industry interests. But an EPA spokesperson said the delay was due to a string of requirements including scientific review, submitting the report to industry and the time it took to get into a scientific journal, which it didn't name.

The spokesperson confirmed the study was submitted to popcorn manufacturers ahead of its release, but said that was done to let companies make sure there were no competitive secrets in the report.

The Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association said diacetyl occurs naturally in foods such as butter, cheese and fruits, and has FDA approval for use as flavouring.