Flavoring Chemical Lawsuits

Consumers who use these products, including those who eat butter-flavored microwave popcorn and people who “vape” flavored e-cigarettes are also at risk of developing flavorings-related lung diseases due to the use of flavoring chemical ingredients in these products.

Flavoring chemical exposure side effects

Lung diseases that have been associated with exposure to flavoring chemicals include:

• Asthma
• Bronchiolitis obliterans
• COPD
• Emphysema
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

What is diacetyl?

Diacetyl is a chemical used in flavorings that has been linked to severe lung disease, particularly a rare lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans that can cause narrowing or complete blockage of airways. People affected may experience shortness of breath with activity, coughing, wheezing, unexplained fevers and fatigue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Current evidence points to diacetyl as one agent that can cause flavorings-related lung disease.”

Airborne flavoring chemical exposure in factory settings

Although sometimes referred to as Popcorn Workers’ Lung or Popcorn Lung, flavoring-related lung disease has been associated with dozens of consumer items made with both artificial and natural flavorings.

Workers in factories where flavoring chemicals are used may be exposed to these harmful chemicals, resulting in shortness of breath with activity, coughing, fatigue, wheezing, unexplained fevers and the development of severe lung diseases. Factories where airborne flavoring chemical exposure is likely to occur produce products, including:

• Baked goods
  • Refrigerated dough products (especially those containing butter flavoring)
  • Baked goods where butter flavoring is an ingredient, for example:
    • Biscuits, etc.
    • Bread
    • Crackers
    • Rolls
• Candies
• Coffee
• Cooking oils (especially those containing butter flavoring)
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, etc.)
• Dry mixes containing flavorings
• E-cigarette liquids or “juices”
• Flavored coffee creamers
• Pet foods
• Snack foods
  • Coated snacks such as cheese-flavored chips and butter pretzels
  • Butter flavored popcorn (both microwaved and bagged)
• Other items with natural or artificial flavorings as an ingredient including

These flavorings typically consist of one or more of the following chemicals called alpha-diketones:

• diacetyl, CAS No. 431-03-08 (2,3-butanedione)
• acetyl propionyl, CAS No. 600-14-6 (2,3-pentanedione)
• acetyl butyryl, CAS No. 3848-24-6 (2,3-hexanedione)
• acetyl valeryl, CAS No. 96-04-8 (2,3-heptanedione)

In 2000, several former employees of a Gilster Mary-Lee popcorn plant were diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, leading to an investigation by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that concluded there was "a risk for occupational lung disease in workers with inhalation exposure to butter flavoring chemicals." Since that time, food and flavoring workers have been diagnosed with other lung diseases, including COPD, asthma and emphysema.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Investigations of other workplaces have also shown that employees that use or manufacture certain flavorings have developed similar health problems.”

On Oct. 31, 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released a new report titled Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentandedione. The report focuses on recommendations to aid in reducing the risk of developing respiratory diseases associated with the chemicals.

Flavoring chemical exposure through flavored e-cigarette inhalation

In October 2015, a study presented to the American College of Chest Physicians titled “Acute Inhalational Lung Injury Related to the Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS)” addressed the case of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with inhalational injury related to the use of an e-cigarette and e-liquids or “juices.” The liquid used in the e-cigarette, the study notes, contained nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and flavorings, adding that an estimated 69% of sweet-flavored e-liquids or “juices” contain diacetyl and/or acetyl propionyl.

"The use of e-cigarettes in the United States is increasing rapidly and the flavorings used, many of which contain diacetyl, may be harmful. This case adds to the growing body of research indicating e-cigarettes pose a health risk," said presentation co-author Dr. Graham Atkins.

In the News:

Wired.com (Oct. 8, 2015): Chemicals from roasting coffee may be cramping lungs

Washington Post (Aug. 31, 2015): What’s in all that e-cig vapor?

Forbes (Aug. 31, 2014): The Health Claims of E-Cigarettes Are Going Up In Smoke