http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dangers-of-microwave-popcorn.html
Dangers of Microwave Popcorn
By Terri Hall Jackson, Care2 contributing writer
When it’s movie night and you’re getting ready to break out the popcorn, using an air popper or jostling a pot of kernels in a heart-friendly oil on your stove top might be your best choices.
A report from the FDA indicates that a chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The Environmental Protection Agency has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.” Another study has found an acid that can be extracted from the chemical causes cancer in animals and is “likely to cause cancer in humans.”
A second potential danger in microwave popcorn is diacetyl, an FDA-approved chemical found in the fake butter flavoring. There’s even a debilitating respiratory disease called “popcorn workers lung,” (the medical name of the condition is bronchiolitis obliterans) suffered by microwave popcorn factory workers caused by extended inhalation of the chemical’s fumes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH) concluded that diacetyl needs further study so that workers in the flavorings and snack industry are no longer at risk
The Food and Drug Administration continues to study whether consumers can develop lung disease from inhaling diacetyl. In response to the concerns regarding the risks of diacetyl exposure, a number of microwave popcorn manufacturers have discontinued using it in their products.
Pop Your Own
Here’s the way to make popcorn on your stove top: Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil (or grapeseed oil if you prefer a more neutral taste) into a heavy, 3 quart or larger pan and place on medium high heat. Put two kernels in, and when one has popped, pour in 1/3 cup of pop corn (white or yellow) and cover pan. When corn begins to pop, shake constantly allowing steam to escape from popping kernels–otherwise popcorn will lose its crunch. Remove pan from heat immediately when popping stops or it will burn. Pour into a large bowl and season to taste.
More from Terri Hall-Jackson (65 articles available)
related stories
-
(9 comments)
-
(21 comments)
-
(9 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
85 comments
add your comment »I like this recipe thank you.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Most unhealthy things that are made to be cooked easier and faster cause cancer. Or heart disease. Or brain disease. Doctors know it's best -- heck, we ALL know it's best -- to have a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and a good variety of other organic/fresh foods. Why should anyone be surprised when something like this causes cancer?
Oh well. I'll just be glad I don't eat microwaved popcorn.
Folsäure
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I always use the "air popper" and then do not feel so guilty using real butter and salt for flavor. Thanks for the post - great info
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Microwave popcorn is also as much as 20 times more expensive than regular popcorn. I buy organic popcorn from the bulk food bins at the market. We don't even have a microwave anymore as we believe all microwave cooking is unhealthy.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanks for the post!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I was very grateful to discover the movies were using Coconut oil. It is a midchain fatty acid and close to mother's milk fat. The best kind of fat. At least they are not using an oil that could be from a GMO plant or an artificial oil like margarine.
I have a passion for safe and beneficial and movie coconut oil rates a +8 on my -10 to +10 scale. I use it to make popcorn at home too on the stove top. Never eat microwave popcorn ...too many chemicals. Well lets say I never use a microwave at all. don't like what it does to the vitality of my food.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I never eat popcorn and microwaved food isn't healthy either.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
why would you use olive oil to cook popcorn. When you cook at hight temps with olive oil it goes rancid and is bad for you. When an oil is heated until it is rancid you may as well eat hydrogenated (trans fat). Use coconut oil.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanks
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanks
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: