Experts warn microwave popcorn could be loading your body with potentially harmful 'forever chemicals.'
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31, 2022 -- Munching handfuls of microwave popcorn might be perfect for movie night, but yourMany microwave popcorn bags are lined withStudies have found"high levels of these compounds in the blood of people who ate microwave popcorn regularly, so it does get into the bloodstream," said Dr. David Heber, founding director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.
"There's been a lot of attention on drinking water, but food is also a major source of exposure and studies have shown that consuming microwave popcorn and fast food is correlated with higher PFAS levels in the body," said David Andrews, a senior scientist with the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
Microwave popcorn manufacturers add PFAS to the lining of the bags to keep the oil that pops the corn from soaking out, Andrews said."You know sometimes if you leave the popcorn in a lot longer, you'll end up with blackened kernels that have burned?" Heber said."Well, that's hot enough to also burn the paper, so this protects the paper from starting a fire in the kitchen.