Man sues supermarket over chronic 'Popcorn Lung' condition

[Hum]

In what could prove to be a multi-million dollar lawsuit, a Colorado man is suing a Denver supermarket chain because he claims he developed a chronic lung condition called 'popcorn lung' from inhaling a dangerous chemical that is contained in their microwave popcorn.

Wayne Watson claims King Soopers supermarket should have made it clear on their packaging that the butter flavouring of their popcorn contains the compound diacetyl, which in large quantities can be hazardous to a person's health.

The trial, which began on September 4th heard that Watson's three-a-day pack habit of microwaveable popcorn led to his current condition which he says stops him from walking short distances and has affected the quality of his life.

'Who would ever reasonbly think that popping popcorn in your own home, no matter how its packaged or processed would all of a sudden turn into an agent for toxic lung disease,' said Watson.

Talking about his love of popcorn before he became sick over four years ago and originally filed his suit, Watson was enthusiastic.

'You would get that woof! That little woof when you opened it,' said Watson.

'And you breathe it in.'

Indeed, it is that breathing action that Watson claims is the cause of his current illness and is the reason why he is suing King Soopers.

Watson alleges that the butter flavouring in the microwave popcorn contains chemicals that vaporise when heated, and that inhaling this vcauses the severe damage to the respiratory system.

He accuses the defendants of making and selling an unsafe product and of failing to warn consumers about the alleged dangers.

more & video

[jnelsoninjax]

Sure, why not? You can sue for anything now, why not sue for popcorn! :D

[Growled Member]

Why are they putting all of this crap in our foods that are slowly killing us.

[+Random Stranger Subscriber¹]

'three-a-day pack habit of microwaveable popcorn'

i would not be surprised if it led to other diseases too

[Hum]

three-a-day pack habit :rofl:

Court awards $7.2 million for 'popcorn lung'

A federal court has awarded $7.2 million to a Colorado man for damages caused by the chemicals used in artificial butter flavoring of microwave popcorn.

Wayne Watson, 59, was the first consumer diagnosed with the respiratory disease bronchiolitis obliterans, also called "popcorn lung" because it's more commonly diagnosed in workers with long-term exposure to the chemical diacetyl during manufacturing.

"I've lost roughly 50% of my lung capacity," says Watson, who ate microwave popcorn about twice a day for 10 years until his diagnosis. "We won this case because the truth was on our side."

The defendants, popcorn maker Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, Kroger Co. and Dillon Companies are expected to appeal the decision.

http://thechart.blog...lung/?hpt=hp_t3

[moloko]

Ha I think he should be suing the company that creates it yes???

[remixedcat]

what the **** not kroger... why can't he sue wal mart or something.... pleh he needs his head checked he should be suing the maker of the corn and not kroger... and duh... he shouldn't have ate it then....

[myxomatosis]

EVERYTHING, even water, can be toxic, when abused?

"three-a-day pack habit of microwaveable popcorn" fatass? You got what you were asking for?

[nekkidtruth]

and duh... he shouldn't have ate it then....

Really? Do you ever think before posting? He didn't KNOW about it until he was diagnosed with the disease. He had no idea there were toxins being used, hence the entire point of this lawsuit.

Reading comprehension is brutal around here these days.

[remixedcat]

Really? Do you ever think before posting? He didn't KNOW about it until he was diagnosed with the disease. He had no idea there were toxins being used, hence the entire point of this lawsuit.

Reading comprehension is brutal around here these days.

everyone knows that any kind of popcorn has that.... that's why they call it popcorn lung... another reason I avoid it because I know about popcorn lung.... at the movies I just get the other snacks they have at the snack bar.... i have not eaten popcorn for 5 years....

[Steven P. Administrators]

EVERYTHING, even water, can be toxic, when abused?

"three-a-day pack habit of microwaveable popcorn" fatass? You got what you were asking for?

Only a year or two ago a woman died from excessive water intake, trying to win a Wii for her kid. I think the (radio) competition was "don't wee for a wii" so yes you are correct.

I weep for humanity.

[remixedcat]

Only a year or two ago a woman died from excessive water intake, trying to win a Wii for her kid. I think the (radio) competition was "don't wee for a wii" so yes you are correct.

I weep for humanity.

it was called "Hold Your Wee for Wii" and jennifer really was strange...

[StevenJ]

everyone knows that any kind of popcorn has that.... that's why they call it popcorn lung... another reason I avoid it because I know about popcorn lung.... at the movies I just get the other snacks they have at the snack bar.... i have not eaten popcorn for 5 years....

Not 'everyone'-- I didn't know until I read this post.

[Detection]

"Once you pop, you can't stop"

I thought ignorance was no excuse ?, not checking the ingredients of something you consume in large amounts is ignorance, and if that is the case, anyone with liver problems due to excessive drinking could sue and claim they didn't know either.

[Steven P. Administrators]

I'm amazed he didn't get sick of it? (I mean eating it twice a day for ten years, not the physical effects)

[DDStriker]

everyone knows that any kind of popcorn has that.... that's why they call it popcorn lung... another reason I avoid it because I know about popcorn lung.... at the movies I just get the other snacks they have at the snack bar.... i have not eaten popcorn for 5 years....

He only got it from opening and inhaling the bag directly after had he opened it put it into a bowl or whatever he wouldn't have experienced this problem

so you should be fine at the movies (and truly that's really the only good thing about going to the movies these days :laugh:)

[Detection]

I'm amazed he didn't get sick of it? (I mean eating it twice a day for ten years, not the physical effects)

Maybe he because addicted to it, that will be his next claim

[nekkidtruth]

everyone knows that any kind of popcorn has that.... that's why they call it popcorn lung... another reason I avoid it because I know about popcorn lung.... at the movies I just get the other snacks they have at the snack bar.... i have not eaten popcorn for 5 years....

I had no idea this existed until today. So no, not "everyone". Regardless, it doesn't deter from the fact that it blatantly states he didn't know either, until he was diagnosed. So no, not everyone knows which makes your "duh...why did he eat it" statement silly.

[DDStriker]

"Once you pop, you can't stop"

I thought ignorance was no excuse ?, not checking the ingredients of something you consume in large amounts is ignorance, and if that is the case, anyone with liver problems due to excessive drinking could sue and claim they didn't know either.

I've never heard or seen this brand before but what I'm gathering form the article is that they do not in fact mention this ingredient being used can anyone confirm if that's the case or not?

Wayne Watson claims King Soopers supermarket should have made it clear on their packaging that the butter flavouring of their popcorn contains the compound diacetyl, which in large quantities can be hazardous to a person's health.

That implies that they don't inform customers that it "contains diacetyl and that it's dangerous in large quantities" but doesn't specify whether it has diacetly on the list anyway

on that note even if it does I guess you can't expect people to know it's a dangerous substance without prior research?

[Steven P. Administrators]

I had no idea this existed until today. So no, not "everyone". Regardless, it doesn't deter from the fact that it blatantly states he didn't know either, until he was diagnosed. So no, not everyone knows which makes your "duh...why did he eat it" statement silly.

As a kid I was always taught that excessive amounts of anything is bad for you, it's common sense really.

Edit: omission of the fact that it contained diacetyl and that it's dangerous in large quantities, is a poor show on the popcorn makers part though.

[nekkidtruth]

As a kid I was always taught that excessive amounts of anything is bad for you, it's common sense really.

Absolutely. However, the key here is he was unknowingly inhaling something toxic. There is a difference between that and eating too many Oreo cookies ;)

[Steven P. Administrators]

Absolutely. However, the key here is he was unknowingly inhaling something toxic. There is a difference between that and eating too many Oreo cookies ;)

Yeah just edited my post after you replied :)

[Detection]

Surely if there is a name for the disease, then it is well known that popcorn causes it, and would have been listed as an ingredient ?

[nekkidtruth]

Surely if there is a name for the disease, then it is well known that popcorn causes it, and would have been listed as an ingredient ?

One would think. Don't think he would have won his case had that been true.

[remixedcat]

popcorn lung was even a bit of a media circus, as several news outlets reported on it a good bit. even hicks out in the sticks know about it.