Wayne Watson, the man who ate at least two bags of microwave popcorn a day for years and developed "popcorn lung" is now suing The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) . Popcorn lung is the name given to the lung condition bronchiolitis obliterans, which is linked to the flavor chemical diacetyl. The lawsuit claims that Kroger "failed to warn that preparing microwave popcorn in a microwave oven as intended and smelling the buttery aroma could expose the consumer to an inhalation hazard and a risk of lung injury."This isn't the only lawsuit over diacetyl flavoring. A lawsuit is currently pending on behalf of workers at a factory in Missouri who mixed large vats of flavors. They say hundreds of workers now have lung disease and respiratory illnesses from inhaling the flavoring. Interestingly enough, the chemical actually is a natural substance that gives butter its flavor. It is also found in some cheeses and wines. Microwave popcorn makers say their formulae are being changed to remove this flavoring from the product.
The Associated Press reports that America's largest popcorn maker, 
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