BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kroger being sued by man with 'popcorn lung']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/kroger-being-sued-by-man-with-popcorn-lung/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/kroger-being-sued-by-man-with-popcorn-lung/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/kroger-being-sued-by-man-with-popcorn-lung/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

Continue reading Kroger being sued by man with 'popcorn lung'

Kroger being sued by man with 'popcorn lung' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bronchiolitis obliteransBronchiolitisObliteransdiacetylinthenewskrkrogermicrowave popcornMicrowavePopcornpopcorn lungPopcornLungWed, 16 Jan 2008 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[What you don't know about your microwave popcorn could kill you]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/05/what-you-dont-know-about-your-microwave-popcorn-could-kill-you/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/05/what-you-dont-know-about-your-microwave-popcorn-could-kill-you/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/05/what-you-dont-know-about-your-microwave-popcorn-could-kill-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PopcornThe Associated Press reports that America's largest popcorn maker, ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG), has been poisoning the lungs of its popcorn plant workers and will take its time solving the problem. Specifically, ConAgra will change the recipe for its Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands over the next year to remove the flavoring chemical diacetyl, linked to a lung ailment in popcorn plant workers.

The decision comes a day after a doctor at a leading lung research hospital said in a warning letter to federal regulators that consumers, not just factory workers, may be in danger from fumes from buttery flavoring in microwave popcorn.

The timing of this decision suggests that ConAgra has no problem poisoning its workers. But it seems to care a bit more about poisoning its customers. After all, if all its customers get lung disease and die, who will pay for the popcorn? I guess ConAgra feels comfortable that its employees can always be replaced.

I wonder whether ConAgra is concerned that its employees will sue the company for unsafe working conditions? Or will microwave popcorn eaters will rise up and sue ConAgra for lung poisoning? Meanwhile ConAgra's planned slow pace of replacing the flavoring chemical guarantees that I will keep its products out of my kitchen for a long, long time.

Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter.

What you don't know about your microwave popcorn could kill you originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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