Microwave Popcorn Information

If all this talk about diacetyl and lung disease has you ready to, well, pop, you might want to consider investing in a popcorn maker, or making your popcorn the old-fashioned way, in a pan. For a good overview of this lost art, see the article "Making Popcorn" at bcgreen.com.

We found a good comparative review of popcorn makers at Slate magazine by Torie Bosch called "Pop Off."

Articles discussing diacetyl and microwave popcorn:

Josh Funk, AP Business Writer, reports in a Sept. 5, 2007 article that "Popcorn Makers Work to Remove Chemical."

The Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy (SKAPP) examines science and how it is used by government. They have an article on their website called "Diacetyl / Popcorn Workers Lung," which includes a timeline of the events leading to the connection of diacetyl with lung disease. SKAPP is a project of the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

The Pump Handle, a blog for the discussion of topics about public health, offers an article by David Michaels called, "EPA Microwave Popcorn Emissions Study Finally Published."

The EPA published a report in November 2007 in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition entitled, "Emissions from Cooking Microwave Popcorn."

Flavor & Fragrance Specialties manufactures flavors and fragrances. Their Diacetyl Q&A includes an explanation of the new diacetyl labeling.

She Spills the Beans, a food blog, has an article called "From the Department of Yikes!" on whether diacetyl has been used by Newman's Own or Newman's Own Organics.

Popcorn manufacturers:

Newman's Own

Newman's Own Organics

Pop Secret

Smart Balance

Orville Redenbacher

Act II