Berkeley, Calif.-based whole-grain popcorn brand Connect Snacks has an interesting backstory. Parent company and eco-friendly fertilizer startup Pivot Bio launched the brand to connect consumers with farmers who are growing food with synthetic-free nitrogen fertilizers. Following the successful launch of its popcorn kernel product in October 2021, Connect Snacks turned its attention to developing a microwavable popcorn option. Given its better-for-the-planet mission, it knew it needed to find a per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)-free packaging solution for its popcorn.
PFAS is a man-made class of plastic chemical compounds commonly used in microwavable popcorn bags. Other packaging that uses PFAS includes cardboard takeout containers, pizza boxes, fast food packaging, and pet food bags. Packaging suppliers add PFAS to microwavable popcorn bags to keep oil inside from soaking out and to prevent the bag from burning.
Connect Snacks CEO Karsten Temme notes that the PFAS liner provides two other functions as well. “First, it seals in a metal susceptor, which improves heating to pop the kernels. And second, it prevents seasoning from sticking to the bag,” he explains.
PFAS compounds have a tendancy to leach into products which is a health and environmental concern, as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified them as “forever chemicals.” The forever chemicals designation means they break down very slowly, accumulating both in the environment and in the human body. One report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans. A 2019 study found that people who regularly eat microwavable popcorn have significantly higher levels of PFAS in their blood; for those who consume it daily, their levels were up to 63% higher than average.
Bioaccumulation of these compounds can seriously impact an individual’s health. A recent CDC review outlined a host of negative health effects associated with PFAS exposure, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease.
Connect Snacks' journey to PFAS-free packaging
Engineering PFAS-free packaging for microwavable popcorn isn't easy though. In addition, alternative options typically carry a higher price tag—up to three times higher, according to Temme. To address the challenge, Connect Snacks used several strategies. “We solved it by using the highest quality popcorn that’s also sustainably grown using no chemical nitrogen fertilizer,” he shares. “We also ask consumers to add their own oil to their popcorn rather than including it in the bag, and we invested in a lot of research and development to create delicious flavors from natural ingredients that wouldn’t stick to the bag.”
Temme says it was important for Connect Snacks to develop PFAS-free packaging because of how ubiquitous plastic-coated packaging is in the lives of consumers, adding that it’s often hidden. “Coffee cups, sandwich wrappers, and paper takeout containers often have a plastic liner,” he says. “We want to do our part by removing the plastic coating in our microwave popcorn—and this means no more microwaving your popcorn in plastic, too.”
While information on the exact material used for Connect Snacks’ PFAS-free packaging for microwavable popcorn and on the material supplier is proprietary, Temme does share that the bags are made from “FDA-approved, grease-resistant PFAS-free papers that were engineered for microwave popcorn packaging."
Connect Snacks introduced its Better for You Microwavable Popcorn in October 2022. It's available on the brand’s website as well as on Amazon in four flavor varieties packaged in 3-ct cartons. PW
FAQs
Connect Snacks Designs PFAS-Free Packaging for Microwave Popcorn. Connect Snacks removes the plastic, PFAS-based liner typically used in microwave popcorn packaging, eliminating the possibility of the 'forever chemical' from leaching into its product.
How to make popcorn without PFAS? ›
Making Non Toxic Microwave Popcorn
The simplest method, and the one that I use often, is to put a 1/4 cup of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag, fold the bag down several times and microwave for 2-4 minutes. It works great, and in case you're wondering, the bag has never popped open when I make popcorn this way.
Are PFAS still used in popcorn? ›
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing that grease-proofing materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the U.S. This means the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food packaging like fast-food wrappers, microwave ...
Is there any microwave popcorn that is safe to eat? ›
"Look for popcorn that is made with simple, whole-food ingredients, such as non-GMO corn, sea salt, and healthy oils like coconut or avocado oil," Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, at Balance One Supplements, tells Eat This, Not That! "Avoid brands that contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives."
Are there microwave popcorn bags without PFAS? ›
Connect Snacks shares that its popcorn bags are made from FDA-approved, grease-resistant PFAS-free packaging engineered for microwave popcorn.
Does all microwave popcorn have PFAS? ›
Manufacturers add PFAS to microwave popcorn food packaging because they resist high temperatures, repel oil, and have nonstick properties. These chemicals contain strong bonds between carbon and fluorine atoms, so they do not degrade easily in the environment or in the body.
What is the healthiest microwave popcorn? ›
- Skinny Pop Original. ...
- Lesser Evil Himalayan Pink Salt. ...
- Quinn Aged Parmesan and Rosemary. ...
- Boom Chicka Pop Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn. ...
- Bjorn Qorn. ...
- Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn. ...
- Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter. ...
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
All major microwave popcorn brands tested contained PFAS, including ACT II, Pop Secret, Orville Redenbacher's, Popweaver, Regal Cinemas, and Clover Valley. And while it's quick and easy to make popcorn without toxic bags, consumers need popcorn kernels to do it.
Is bagged microwave popcorn bad for you? ›
Even so, there remain concerns that certain ingredients in microwave popcorn can turn an otherwise healthy snack into an unhealthy one. This includes high amounts of saturated fat and salt (sodium) which can increase a person's risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Which microwave popcorn does not have PFOA? ›
“Our bag manufacturers confirm the grease resistant treatment in JOLLY TIME Popcorn microwave popping bags is not produced with PFOA or PFC.”
The 10 best healthy popcorn brands, according to nutritionists
- Organic Classic Salted Popcorn. ...
- Original Popped Popcorn. ...
- Touch of Butter Microwave Popcorn. ...
- White Cheddar Popcorn. ...
- Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn. ...
- Parmesan and Rosemary Microwave Popcorn. ...
- Nori Sesame Popcorn. ...
- Crimson Hulless Popcorn Kernels.
All of our microwave popcorn is packaged in PFOA free bags." "Does Newman's Own Microwave Popcorn or Pop's Corn contain Diacetyl? Diacetyl is not added to any of the Newman's Own varieties of microwave popcorn. However, it is a naturally occurring substance found in butter in miniscule amounts."
What is the best packaging for popcorn? ›
Stand Up Pouches - Probably one of the best ways to preserve and package pre-popped popcorn today is using stand up pouches.
What is the best packaging material for popcorn? ›
So the best type of packaging that can preserve popcorn kernels or pre-popped corn reasonably well makes use of airtight bags with resealable zipper closure that genuinely seal.
What chemical is used to flavor microwave popcorn? ›
Diacetyl (also called 2,3-butanedione) is a chemical that has been used to give butter-like and other flavors to food products, including popcorn. This chemical has been used as a marker of exposure to flavoring vapors in investigations evaluating lung disease in microwave popcorn manufacturing facilities.
Is there any way to avoid PFAS? ›
The simplest way to reduce your exposure to these toxic chemicals is to opt against buying any furniture, rugs, and bedding that are labeled as being water- or stain-repellent. Those treatments are practically guaranteed to contain PFAS.
What is the safest popcorn to eat? ›
The 10 Best Healthy Popcorn Brands of 2022, According to...
- Bjorn Qorn.
- Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn.
- Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter.
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
- Trader Joes Organic Popcorn With Olive Oil.
- Anthony's Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
- How to Choose a Healthy Popcorn.
Studies have demonstrated that microwave popcorn bags containing PFAS are a source of PFAS in the body, as the chemicals can leach from the packaging into popcorn.
What is the healthiest way to pop popcorn? ›
For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave. If using the microwave, put 1/4 cup of kernels in a paper bag, fold the top over twice, and microwave on high for about two minutes, or until the popping slows to about two seconds between pops.
