Reviewers say the following about shopping for microwave popcorn:

  • Don't buy outdated microwave popcorn. As discussed above, some microwave popcorns sold in stores may still contain diacetyl, which has been linked to lung disease. This ingredient should be gone from all brands by the end of 2008, and the major companies making popcorn -- Conagra (Act II and Orville Redenbacher) and General Mills (Pop Secret) -- state that all recently made popcorn is free from the additive.
  • Follow the directions. If the package says to heat for three minutes on a low setting, heat for three minutes on a low setting. It's always better to undercook than to overcook a packet of microwave popcorn.
  • If you can, buy in bulk. Like most food items, microwave popcorn is less expensive when bought in economy sizes. Check your local warehouse store for boxes of 50 or 100 packets, which have a lower per-packet price.
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