New popcorn recipe has TBHQ

[columbusdizfan]

The last time we were at Disney we were so excited because our daughter who is very reactive to petroleum based dyes and preservatives could have Disney popcorn. Well, now Disney uses pop secret and the oil contains TBHQ, a petroleum based preservative. Yuck. Just thought I'd give a heads up to those concerned.

The fancier pop corns in the small plastic bags from the gift shops and candy stores seem to be okay still depending on the flavor.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

now Disney uses pop secret and the oil contains TBHQ

1) I usually look for foodstuffs with butane ingredients and ignore them.
2) We are not reactive to it, but I just don't want "gas" in my foods.
3) By the way, Tertiary Butylhydroquinone is in a lot of other foods and items.
. . . crackers
. . . cosmetics
. . . frozen fish
. . . chicken nuggets
. . . BABY FOOD (!!!!!!!)
. . . lacquer and varnish
4) With Disney's new effort(s) toward healthy foods, I don't know why they use foodstuffs with TBHQ.

NOTE1: Sure, it is a lab study with major doses of the chemical, but Long term, high doses of TBHQ in laboratory animals have shown a tendency for them to develop cancerous precursors in their stomachs, as well as cause DNA damage.

NOTE2: Before retirement, I ran a company making fuel (biodiesel) from algae. Most other makers of biodiesel (both animal and plant based) added TBHQ to the fuel (to reduce corrosion effects). We refused to add such, and made A LOT of money because we did not include it in the mix.

 

[michashell]

Thanks for posting! We stay away from artifacial colors, flavors and preservatives (BHA, BHT and TBHQ).

 

[cobright]

1. TBHQ is not a petroleum product. It is an organic phenol. The base chemical it is derived from, hydroquinone, is actually produced in nature by many animals.
2. TBHQ is a powerful antioxidant.
3. While a few studies using massive doses of TBHQ showed an increase in precancerous stomachs tumors in lab rats, other studies showed that it reduced the likelihood of cancer.
4. The European food safety authority has found TBHQ to be noncarcinogenic.
5. The largest literature review on the subject so far finds TBHQ to be safe at the doses allowed in foods.
6. By comparison, here are some things we know are carcinogenic, even at levels commonly consumed.
   • Red meat
   • Any sausage product
   • Any alcoholic Beveridge
   • Every therepeutic use of estrogen (post menopause therapy, birth control, steroids used to treat injuries...)
   • Any grilled food.
   • Any exposure to biomass fuel (even without TBHQ or other additives)
   • Any exposure to gasoline or diesel engine exhaust.
   • Any exposure to sunlight, even while wearing sun screen.
   • Hydrogenated oils

I'm all for taking control of what we eat, and less refined foods are generally better choices, but it's important to maintain perspective on risk. The time you spend outdoors at wdw is much more likely to give you cancer than the switch to TBHQ in the popcorn. Most of the dinners you order at wdw restaurants are less healthy than a bucket of popcorn. That is to say, neither are terribly dangerous in absolute terms but if you were bent on eliminating the most harmful things from your wdw vacation, any time outdoors and any restaurant food would be much higher up on the list than the popcorn.

I promise, the chemical names for what you'll find in the average steak, cocktail, or coffee are just as scary as TBHQ.