How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

You know I write a pregnancy and baby blog so I post my fair share of recalls. I don’t love it because it’s boring in comparison to say baby fun at the beach or organic toys but I do it. Why, because it’s the right thing to do.

We’re having one of those moments here at Office Stuffer today folks because there’s been a major issue that has come up that could affect your midday office snacking.

ConAgra Foods who make Orville Redenbacher and Act II brands of microwave popcorn have initiated a rather lack luster revamp of their microwave popcorn products after numerous new sources such as USA Today reported this, “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.” General Mills Inc. and the American Pop Corn Company are also pulling and revamping products as well.

One I’m no scientists but I have a degree in math and science and I can tell you that one study alone does not confirm much in my opinion. Two does that mean I disagree with the decision – heck no.

I also believe that food that spends too much time in a lab isn’t ideal for human consumption no matter what.

Seriously people the closer you snack to nature the better off you’ll be.

The culprit according to a pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center is a chemical called diacetyl. The diacetyl has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a disease that can kill you sometimes also called popcorn lung. The biggest danger appears to be around workers in the factories not consumers chomping down a snack but still, why eat something that only won’t kill you in small quantities? I bet I could eat a bit of rat poison and live – it doesn’t mean I should.

Now I said I don’t believe in just one scientist but you know who I do believe? OSHA. Here’s the down low on diacetyl from OSHA (don’t read while eating buttered popcorn because you might choke).

Nice huh? How’s a big old serving of symptoms like, “Eye, mucous membrane, respiratory system, skin irritation; persistent cough, phlegm production, wheezing, dyspnea (shortness of breath); unusual fatigue; episodes of mild fever or generalized aches; severe skin rashes” sound today.

So, clean out the office cupboards. If you’ve got diacetyl, I mean butter flavored popcorn that is not natural toss it. Don’t eat it. Eat something not made in a factory like an apple or some naturally processed nuts or trail mix. If you'd like to read more on the popcorn story of the decade take a look at these:

Microwave Popcorn Lung Disease is Plaguing Business and Consumers Alike

Popcorn Lung and the Work At Home Mom

Microwave popcorn addict forced to kick the habit