Ditch the microwave popcorn

You might want to think about the consequences of using prepared microwave popcorn. I had used it for years until my son objected to my giving it to my grandchildren. I did a bit of research, and here's what I found.

The well-regarded Environmental Science and Technology Online reported a study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration showing that coatings in the packaging of microwave popcorn break down into the suspected carcinogen PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). It was previously thought that PFOA showing up in people's blood was coming from the coatings of nonstick cookware, but several studies have shown that food packaging treated with grease-repelling fluorotelomer coatings are the major source of PFOA. Read the article

Moreover, scientists have linked a chemical that gives microwave popcorn its buttery aroma to a life-threating disease they call "popcorn lung" that is afflicting workers in popcorn and flavoring plants. The chemical diacetyl, when heated in a factory setting, produces a toxic and potentially fatal gas. While there's no proof that the fumes from microwave popcorn at home are toxic, why take chances. Read an ABC News report

It's easy to pop corn in a microwave without using the prepared bags. Pop it in a glass bowl (cover with a damp paper towel and be very careful of the hot bowl) or pop it in a brown paper bag. It is not necessary to use oil. If you do, I'd think twice before using butter-flavored oil. Canola will do fine. There are some directions for popping corn in the microwave at foodgeeks.com