

Exposure to the chemicals can occur with direct contact with the products, but also through diet, drinking water, air, and dust. They are also used in fast food packaging and microwave popcorn bags that are water and grease resistant.Īpproximately 4,700 PFAS are available in the global market. PFAS are currently used in a wide variety of common products-from firefighting foams to paints to nonstick household products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemical compounds found in a variety of food packaging. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these chemicals might include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). If you’re avoiding unhealthy snacks by reaching for low-fat and low sodium treats like microwave popcorn, you may want to take into consideration the chemicals used to coat its packaging.

If you’re hankering for popcorn, the healthiest option is using an air popper followed with light seasoning, as recommended by the AHA. Another unhealthy choice is caramel popcorn that has a high sugar and fat content.Movie popcorn served in a large tub can be a greasy, high-calorie snack, clocking in at 1,090 calories with a whopping 2,650 milligrams of sodium-two major contributors to high blood pressure that could lead to a stroke and/or heart disease.However, the AHA warns that not all popcorn treats should be considered optimal snacking choices.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), these grains are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
