BUTTER-FLAVORING CHEMICAL Facts about diacetyl

A look at diacetyl, a chemical used in butter flavoring in some foods.

Chemical used to give foods such as microwave poporn a buttery taste.

Linked by some over the years to rare, irreversible lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans.

Some major microwave popcorn manufacturers, including ConAgra Foods, have removed chemical from their popcorn.

Lawsuits have been filed by workers in plants making the flavoring and in food plants using the chemical against makers of the flavoring, charging that exposure to chemical has damaged their health.

Source: AP research