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September 6, 2007
Now We're Supposed to Be Afraid of Popcorn
Posted by Dave Blount at September 6, 2007 8:46 AM
Add popcorn to the long list of things to fear:
A fondness for microwave buttered popcorn may have led a 53-year-old Colorado man to develop a serious lung condition that until now has been found only in people working in popcorn plants.
Lung specialists and even a top industry official say the case, the first of its kind, raises serious concerns about the safety of microwave butter-flavored popcorn.
The alleged problem is diacetyl, which ads the buttery taste and occurs naturally in dairy products. Hot diacetyl turns into a vapor that can cause damage to the lungs if inhaled often enough.
An overweight furniture salesman who referred to himself as "Mr. Popcorn" had been eating microwave popcorn at least twice a day for ten years. Reports his doctor:
When he broke open the bags, after the steam came out, he would often inhale the fragrance because he liked it so much.
The doctor told him to stop eating microwave popcorn. Six months later, the guy has lost 50 pounds and his lungs are better.
Screams Rep Rosa DeLauro (D-CT):
The government is not doing anything!
Look forward to popcorn ads that include a mandatory discourse on its alleged dangers. If those don't work, maybe government monitors could be installed in each home to ensure we don't eat popcorn for every meal.
Also look for popcorn prices to jump through the ceiling, when John Edwards types start looting the industry.
On a tip from Wiggins.
