OMAHA, Neb. — The nation's largest microwave popcorn maker, ConAgra Foods Inc., says it will change the recipe for its Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands over the next year to remove a flavoring chemical 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.
ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said the Omaha-based company decided to remove the chemical diacetyl from its popcorn because of the risk it presents to workers who handle large quantities.
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