Microwave Popcorn: Understanding Diacetyl & Potential Health Risks

In recent years the chemical known as diacetyl has been linked to health problems. This chemical is most commonly found in the butter flavoring of microwave popcorn. Diacetyl is one of the ingredients that gives artificial butter its taste. Diacetyl is the only artificial ingredient in microwave popcorn that is thought to pose a risk to a persons health.

Diacetyl

• Diacetyl is a chemical that is found in the butter of microwave popcorn that has been thought to be linked with possible health risks.

Lab experiments

• In independant lab experiments, diacetyl has caused significant damages to airway passages of test rats.

Overexposure

• If overexposed to diacetyl, either by eating microwave popcorn or working in a microwave popcorn plant, it is thought that you are much more likely to develop disease in your lungs.

Centers for Disease Control

• The Centers for Disease Control claims that exposure to diacetyl is no risk to humans.

Food and Drug Administration

• The Food and Drug Administration has not conducted an investigation into the use of diacetyl.