I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?

Jul 20, 2005

Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
The Associated Press


JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his respiratory
illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter flavoring has been
awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and former
workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and
Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The plaintiffs say the
manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to make the
popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung damage.

A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning its
decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Moenning worked in the flavoring room at the Jasper plant from 1993 through
1995. Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare, progressive
lung disease that eventually could require that he receive a lung
transplant.

Experts testified that the disease was a result of Moenning's exposure to
diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavorings used at the plant, and
that manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't warn workers.

Defense attorneys said management didn't know the flavoring's potential
harmful effects on workers.

"Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew or
could have known," Mike Patton, the attorney for International Flavors and
Fragrances, said in closing arguments.

Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it are not
in danger, but chemicals released during popping are being studied.

Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a verdict
awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 for his wife.

Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who says she
suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.

Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as $20
million to popcorn plant workers.

AP-ES-07-20-05 2338EDT

Diacetyl also known as 2,3-butanedione is toxic. 1.5 grams will kill a
rat, but the amount for humans is unspecified. A lot of chemicals
deemed toxic are used in foods...but in small quantities are relatively
safe.
Many flavorings for food/candy are called esters. They are made by
reacting a carboxylic acid with an alcohol...a few drops of
concentrated hydrochloric or sulfuric acid are added to catalyze the
reaction. Here are some examples with the odor/flavoring they create.

ethyl propionate(fruity)
isoamyl butyrate(pear)
isoamyl acetate(banana)
n-butyl acetate(banana)
octyl acetate(orange-like)
methyl salicylate(winter-green)
methyl butyrate(pineapple)
ethyl cinnamate(cinnamon)

Nobody wrote:

> I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
>
> Jul 20, 2005
>
> Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
> The Associated Press
>
>
> JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his respiratory
> illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter flavoring has been
> awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
> Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and former
> workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and
> Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The plaintiffs say the
> manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to make the
> popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung damage.
>
> A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning its
> decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.
>
> Moenning worked in the flavoring room at the Jasper plant from 1993 through
> 1995. Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare, progressive
> lung disease that eventually could require that he receive a lung
> transplant.
>
> Experts testified that the disease was a result of Moenning's exposure to
> diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavorings used at the plant, and
> that manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't warn workers.
>
> Defense attorneys said management didn't know the flavoring's potential
> harmful effects on workers.
>
> "Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew or
> could have known," Mike Patton, the attorney for International Flavors and
> Fragrances, said in closing arguments.
>
> Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it are not
> in danger, but chemicals released during popping are being studied.
>
> Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a verdict
> awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 for his wife.
>
> Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who says she
> suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.
>
> Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as $20
> million to popcorn plant workers.
>
> AP-ES-07-20-05 2338EDT
>
>
Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled
to see there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my
local supermarket now. Now I will get my unadulterated
kernels elsewhere.

--
Jean B.

Jean B. wrote:
> Nobody wrote:
>
>> I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
>>
>> Jul 20, 2005
>>
>> Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
>> The Associated Press
>>
>>
>> JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his
>> respiratory illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter
>> flavoring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
>> Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and former
>> workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and
>> Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The plaintiffs
>> say the manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to
>> make the popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung damage.
>>
>> A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning
>> its decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.
>>
>> Moenning worked in the flavoring room at the Jasper plant from 1993
>> through 1995. Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a
>> rare, progressive lung disease that eventually could require that he
>> receive a lung transplant.
>>
>> Experts testified that the disease was a result of Moenning's exposure
>> to diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavorings used at the
>> plant, and that manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't warn
>> workers.
>>
>> Defense attorneys said management didn't know the flavoring's
>> potential harmful effects on workers.
>>
>> "Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew
>> or could have known," Mike Patton, the attorney for International
>> Flavors and Fragrances, said in closing arguments.
>>
>> Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it are
>> not in danger, but chemicals released during popping are being studied.
>>
>> Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a
>> verdict awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 for his wife.
>>
>> Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who
>> says she suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.
>>
>> Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as
>> $20 million to popcorn plant workers.
>>
>> AP-ES-07-20-05 2338EDT
>>
>>
> Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled to see
> there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my local supermarket
> now. Now I will get my unadulterated kernels elsewhere.
>

The people who were awarded the money did not eat the popcorn, they
were workers in the flavoring part of the plant.

Jean B. wrote:
> Nobody wrote:
>
> > I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
> >
> > Jul 20, 2005
> >
> > Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
> > The Associated Press
> >
> >
> > JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his respiratory
> > illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter flavoring has been
> > awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
> > Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and former
> > workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and
> > Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The plaintiffs say the
> > manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to make the
> > popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung damage.
> >
> > A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning its
> > decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.
> >
> > Moenning worked in the flavoring room at the Jasper plant from 1993 through
> > 1995. Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare, progressive
> > lung disease that eventually could require that he receive a lung
> > transplant.
> >
> > Experts testified that the disease was a result of Moenning's exposure to
> > diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavorings used at the plant, and
> > that manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't warn workers.
> >
> > Defense attorneys said management didn't know the flavoring's potential
> > harmful effects on workers.
> >
> > "Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew or
> > could have known," Mike Patton, the attorney for International Flavors and
> > Fragrances, said in closing arguments.
> >
> > Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it are not
> > in danger, but chemicals released during popping are being studied.
> >
> > Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a verdict
> > awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 for his wife.
> >
> > Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who says she
> > suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.
> >
> > Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as $20
> > million to popcorn plant workers.
> >
> > AP-ES-07-20-05 2338EDT
> >
> >
> Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled
> to see there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my
> local supermarket now. Now I will get my unadulterated
> kernels elsewhere.
>
> --
> Jean B.

You'd better resign yourself to finding organic popcorn, then...hard
telling what stuff a factory-farmer or solo farmer has put on his
crops.

N.

wrote:
> Jean B. wrote:
>> Nobody wrote:
>>
>>> I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
>>>
>>> Jul 20, 2005
>>>
>>> Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
>>> The Associated Press
>>>
>>>
>>> JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his
>>> respiratory illness came from a harmful chemical used to make
>>> butter flavoring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
(snippage)
>> Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled
>> to see there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my
>> local supermarket now. Now I will get my unadulterated
>> kernels elsewhere.
>>
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> You'd better resign yourself to finding organic popcorn, then...hard
> telling what stuff a factory-farmer or solo farmer has put on his
> crops.
>
> N.

I think her point was more about the horrific artificial butter stuff they
put in microwave popcorn. I don't understand how people can eat that stuff
either. It even *smells* bad.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:

>>
>>You'd better resign yourself to finding organic popcorn, then...hard
>>telling what stuff a factory-farmer or solo farmer has put on his
>>crops.
>>
>>N.
>
>
> I think her point was more about the horrific artificial butter stuff they
> put in microwave popcorn. I don't understand how people can eat that stuff
> either. It even *smells* bad.
>
> Jill
>
>

Yes, can't stand the smell of it either.

jmcquown wrote on July 21, 2005:

<snip>

> I think her point was more about the horrific artificial butter stuff they
> put in microwave popcorn. I don't understand how people can eat that stuff
> either. It even *smells* bad.


It even smells funny when you walk past the display at the market.

Margaret Suran wrote:

>
>
> Jean B. wrote:
>
>> Nobody wrote:
>>
>>> I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
>>>
>>> Jul 20, 2005
>>>
>>> Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
>>> The Associated Press
>>>
>>>
>>> JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his
>>> respiratory illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter
>>> flavoring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
>>> Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and
>>> former workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International
>>> Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The
>>> plaintiffs say the manufacturers should have known the chemical
>>> diacetyl, used to make the popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung
>>> damage.
>>>
>>> A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning
>>> its decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.
>>>
>>> Moenning worked in the flavoring room at the Jasper plant from 1993
>>> through 1995. Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a
>>> rare, progressive lung disease that eventually could require that he
>>> receive a lung transplant.
>>>
>>> Experts testified that the disease was a result of Moenning's
>>> exposure to diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavorings used at
>>> the plant, and that manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't
>>> warn workers.
>>>
>>> Defense attorneys said management didn't know the flavoring's
>>> potential harmful effects on workers.
>>>
>>> "Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew
>>> or could have known," Mike Patton, the attorney for International
>>> Flavors and Fragrances, said in closing arguments.
>>>
>>> Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it
>>> are not in danger, but chemicals released during popping are being
>>> studied.
>>>
>>> Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a
>>> verdict awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 for his wife.
>>>
>>> Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who
>>> says she suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.
>>>
>>> Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as
>>> $20 million to popcorn plant workers.
>>>
>>> AP-ES-07-20-05 2338EDT
>>>
>>>
>> Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled to see
>> there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my local
>> supermarket now. Now I will get my unadulterated kernels elsewhere.
>>
>
> The people who were awarded the money did not eat the popcorn, they were
> workers in the flavoring part of the plant.

Yes, I saw that, but I have to wonder how good that stuff is
for the consumer--esp. someone who makes and eats a lot of it.

--
Jean B.

wrote:

> You'd better resign yourself to finding organic popcorn, then...hard
> telling what stuff a factory-farmer or solo farmer has put on his
> crops.
>
> N.
>
Well, that is what I ended up doing, since I could only find
organic kernels. I prefer organic food anyway, so that's fine
by me.

--
Jean B.

jmcquown wrote:

> wrote:
>
>>Jean B. wrote:
>>
>>>Nobody wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have to wonder, how much of this stuff is enough to cause damage?
>>>>
>>>>Jul 20, 2005
>>>>
>>>>Missouri Man Awarded $2.7 Million Over Popcorn Plant Lung Injuries
>>>>The Associated Press
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his
>>>>respiratory illness came from a harmful chemical used to make
>>>>butter flavoring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
>
> (snippage)
>
>>>Interesting. And why do folks eat this crud? I am appalled
>>>to see there is only pre-seasoned, pre-measured popcorn at my
>>>local supermarket now. Now I will get my unadulterated
>>>kernels elsewhere.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Jean B.
>>
>>You'd better resign yourself to finding organic popcorn, then...hard
>>telling what stuff a factory-farmer or solo farmer has put on his
>>crops.
>>
>>N.
>
>
> I think her point was more about the horrific artificial butter stuff they
> put in microwave popcorn. I don't understand how people can eat that stuff
> either. It even *smells* bad.
>
> Jill
>
>
Yes, and it is almost impossible to find the prepackaged stuff
without it. Bearitos makes some--plain, and I think just
salted too. Why on earth is that horrible artificial stuff so
popular? I'd rather adulterate my own with real ingredients.

--
Jean B.

Kevin_Sheehy wrote:

>
> jmcquown wrote on July 21, 2005:
>
> <snip>
>
>>I think her point was more about the horrific artificial butter stuff they
>>put in microwave popcorn. I don't understand how people can eat that stuff
>>either. It even *smells* bad.
>
>
>
> It even smells funny when you walk past the display at the market.
>
Yes, it does. Have folks been brainwashed????

--
Jean B.