Diacetyl
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary3 sources
Diacetyl is a flavoring — Butter aroma carrier; flavoring
What it does
Butter aroma carrier; flavoring
Where you'll see it
Microwave popcorn butter flavoring; blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, butter, caramel, chocolate, coffee, cheese, cherry, vanilla flavorings
What the research says
Reportedly can cause serious lung and respiratory problems including bronchiolitis obliterans. One man developed disease after eating two bags microwave popcorn daily. Associated with cancer in experimental animals.
[ultra-processed-people] Workers in microwave popcorn factories develop bronchiolitis obliterans ('popcorn workers' lung') — a permanent destruction of small airways. Diacetyl has also been detected at very low levels in vape liquids. Used historically by Imhausen in Nazi Germany to make 'coal butter' edible.
[metabolical] Synthetic butter flavor; decomposes to acetaldehyde, a known lung and liver toxin. Causes bronchiolitis obliterans ('popcorn lung') — irreversible airway scarring observed in 25% of microwave-popcorn workers, some needing lung transplants in their 30s.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: GRAS
- Notes: Also ASP
Sources
- Metabolical (Lustig) — Chapter 20: Diacetyl is also associated with a severe and irreversible respiratory condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, which leads to inflammation and permanent scarring of the airways
- Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken) — Chapter 6: The ultimate UPF: Workers in the factories that manufacture popcorn get a disease that destroys their lungs, which is officially called bronchiolitis obliterans but is also known as 'popcorn workers' lung'
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): diacetyl, which reportedly can cause serious lung and respiratory problems