on Sep 5th, 2007Microwave Popcorn + Lung Damage = Diacetyl Nightmare
Knowing whether a new product or service causes cancer requires years of use before drawing any conclusions. When a company introduces a new product, especially a food product, they are required to demonstrate there is no obvious link between the product and harmful effects. A new product, though, introduces elements that a company may have no clue about in terms of understanding their toxicity on the human body. Honestly, how the hell would Monsanto know the long term effects of genetically modified food since its introduction? Time is the keeper of conclusions.
Would you believe microwave popcorn, eaten on a regular basis, might cause a harmful lung condition as a result of the chemical, diacetyl, that gives the popcorn its “buttery” taste? Now let’s pay attention to the what the industry spokesperson says in response: “We’ve all been working on the workplace safety side of this, but the potential for consumer exposure is very concerning. Are there other cases out there? There could be.” And the makers of microwave popcorn: “Producers of microwave popcorn said their products were safe.”
Hmmm…The products are safe because the makers said so? Bullshit comes in many shapes and sizes, but when it comes in the form of ignorance, it somehow makes us realize that buying that box of microwave popcorn is unnecessary. If the makers could care less about our health, then why not show them we could care less about their staying in business.
Orville, you were cute in a weird kind of way, but let’s be honest, lung damage is not an option when it comes to eating popcorn, especially when you know it exists in your factory workers.