12.17.2007 9:07 AM

ConAgra Cracks Down on Popcorn, Pot Pies

Put Two Food Scandals of 2007 In the Books

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Conagra has changed ingredients in it's popcorn and given new instructions with it's pot pies.

By Dan Shapley

ConAgra has made two decisions wrapping up two of the many food scandals of 2007.

It followed the lead of other microwave popcorn makers and eliminated the use of diacetyl, which has been implicated in causing "popcorn lung" in workers exposed to it over the course of a career, according to USA Today. At least one popcorn enthusiasts also claimed to have health problems from eating several bags a day and hungrily inhaling the fumes. With brands like Orville Redenbacher and Act II, ConAgra is the largest popcorn maker in the U.S.

ConAgra will also post new warnings on its pot pies, instructing users to cook to 165 degrees, according to USA Today. ConAgra recalled its Banquet frozen pot pies, at a cost of $30 million and 272 illnesses, due to salmonella bacteria that would be killed if the pot pie is heated to 165 degrees.

While there are still outstanding food safety issues that have been raised in 2007 – not least the contaminated foods imported from China and admissions that the Food and Drug Administration isn't up to policing our international supply of food – this American food maker has at least taken strides to correct two serious problems.

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