Doctor reports 1st consumer case of microwave popcorn lung
Microwave popcorn lung??? Good heavens. I wondered if I should cancel my standing request for Orville’s , but in fact I prefer the plain flavour (as opposed to ‘butter’ flavoured) and although I’m quite hooked on popcorn I certainly don’t eat two bags a day, nor do I sniff in the fumes like the guy in the article.
I imagine that eating anything to that excess would cause health problems, but apparently factory workers have been suffering from ‘popcorn lung’ – a potentially fatal disease – for years due to constant contact with diacetyl. Yet it took this one consumer to be diagnosed before Big Food did anything about it. Hmmm… perhaps I should consider boycotting ConAgra products altogether.
~ first seen at Wandering Coyote’s ~
~ fab pic from Sid in the City ~
casa azahar 
Thanks for the credit on the pic š
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Well I always make my popcorn with actual corn. And here’s my top tip for flavouring: soy sauce.
Discovered originally at a riotous party in Ottawa. ome to think of it – it was at that party that I accidentally smoked crack cocaine.
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You’re very welcome, John. It was a happy chance finding that fab pic on google images, which led me to your very cool blog. I’ve also added it to my links. š
I know I’m going to regret this, but how does one accidently smoke crack, Edward?
Meanwhile, I’m a popcorn traditionalist so none of these new-fangled flavourings for me – just a little salt and real butter, thanks.
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I guess I should also say that I don’t go for other toppings such as diacetyl … I really ought to read labels more closely.
Then again, what packaged foods do we buy that aren’t full of this and that various chemical additives?
I used to make popcorn in a thick deep cast iron pot … just a teaspoon of oil and then I added a bit of salt and butter after it was done. Thing is, even though I could probably find a similar pot here I wouldn’t be able to find the popping corn – it’s not a very popular snack food in Spain.
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I’m going to do some research to see exactly what ConAgra’s products are. I bet they’d be hard to boycott because they probably make nearly everything. You’re right: pretty much everything we buy that’s packaged has additives and chemicals. I try to buy as little as possible and make my baking from scratch, but sometimes it’s difficult.
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Yesterday I found some ‘Light Butter’ Newman’s Own microwave popcorn at a small international food shop. Previously they only had the normal type (not light) which I tried and didn’t like. This stuff is okay, though not as good as Orville’s 94% fat free Smart Pop. And I didn’t see dyacetyl listed in the ingredients – but would it be? Or would it have an E-number?
Turns out it’s also used in beer and wine production, especially in chardonnays…
Diacetyl
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Well, I just went over the ingredients of the treats, and no Diacetyl was listed… But, it’s OR 94% fat free Smart Pop Butter. If you don’t want it, I’ll look for some natural flavor. Don’t know as I’ve even seen OR 94% FF SP that wasn’t Butter, but I’ll look. š
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I don’t know if they make the non-butter flavour type anymore, SC, as that’s the only kind the last couple of ‘mules’ brought over.
I’m not sure if Diacetyl would be listed as an ingredient – it probably has a sneaky E-number. Anyhow, I promise not to sniff the fumes. And thank you!
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I think I’ve found you a dealer š
Shipping to Spain is the same rate as to GB, so you might as well order it yourself.
Orville’s UK
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Thanks honey, but I think it’s probably cheaper to pay for your airfare every few months or so…
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Some clown has got this condition from eating tons of the stuff at home, first recorded case like it!
http://www.morningstarr.co.uk/forum/freebbc-news/7153-popcorn-lung.html
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Hi Mr Morningstarr, and welcome. Yep, I also linked to an article about that (under the pic). Crazy, isn’t it?
By the way, the pic isn’t mine, so you might want to change the link on your blog so that the credit for it goes to John Pangia at Sid in the City. š
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