Health
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    • Topic: 
    • diacetyl flavoring in popcorn
  • From: jdl1970
  •   To: All
  • 1 of 4
  • 6/10/08
I have read articles and have listened to news reports about workers in plants getting sick from inhaling the popcorn flavoring.  I have yet to hear anything from the general public about getting sick from this.  My 11 yr old son either has an allergy to this flavoring or it simply makes him sick.  I first thought it was just popcorn; but, after process of elimination, I have discovered it is the diacetyl,  It causes him to cough and then he throws up. It takes him about 24-48hours to get over it.   The healthy balance smart popcorn does not make him sick .  Now, that the Orville Redenbacher brand does not have diacetyl in it; he can eat it without getting sick.  I would like to know more about what other products have diacetyl in it.  We watch labels closely; but the labels have never mentioned "diacetyl", all it ever said was artificial flavoring.  Thanks
  • From: _ABCNewsMedUnit_
  •   To: jdl1970
  • 2 of 4
  • 6/11/08

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

 

Hi Jdl1970 and thank you for your question. Here is an answer from Wesley Burks, M.D., Professor and Chief, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center:

 

Diacetyl is a vicinal deketone and occurs naturally in alcoholic beverages and may be added to some foods to give a buttery flavor. It apparently causes a slipperiness to the feel of beer or wine. There are recent reports of diacetyl causing pulmonary disease when heated or inhaled over a long time. Studies are now underway to better understand how this might occur. The governmental agencies of both the US and EU are now considering what to do with the available information. Currently though, the product is labeled as safe to consume.

 

NOTE: Top medical experts on food allergies answer more questions like these in the Food Allergies section of our OnCall+ Allergies site: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesFood/.

 

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
  • From: jdl1970
  •   To: _ABCNewsMedUnit_
  • 3 of 4
  • 6/11/08
Thank you for the response from Dr. Burks.  How ironic? I am a nurse and I work for Duke as well.  In Dr. Burks, opinion does he think my son may simply be having a reaction to the flavoring or an allergy.  He currently takes zyrtec every night before he goes to bed for allergies.  I wonder if I should do anything different other checking labels for artificial flavorings. When I mentioned this to his pediatrician, it was more of stay away from popcorn.  Thanks
  • From: _ABCNewsMedUnit_
  •   To: jdl1970
  • 4 of 4
  • 6/12/08

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

 

Hi Jdl1970. Here is an answer to your follow-up question from Wesley Burks, M.D., Professor and Chief, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center:

 

It is very difficult to determine the exact cause of the symptoms without going into much more detail about the reactions and having the rest of the medical history. It does appear though that your pediatrician has given you good advice. Thank you.

 

NOTE: Top medical experts on food allergies answer more questions like these in the Food Allergies section of our OnCall+ Allergies site: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesFood/.

 

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
 
 
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