Myth: Popcorn is junk food.
Fact: Popcorn is a whole grain, which makes it a good carb
choice. Whole grains contain fiber, providing the roughage
needed in a daily diet. Popcorn has no artificial additives or
preservatives and is sugar-free.
Myth: Popcorn is high in fat and calories.
Fact: Popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories. Air-popped
popcorn has only 30 calories per cup; oil-popped popcorn has
only 35 calories per cup.
Myth: Popcorn is GMO.
Fact: There has never been, nor is there currently, any
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) popcorn or popcorn seed for
sale in the world.
Myth: Popcorn contains
gluten.
Fact: Popcorn does not contain wheat, rye, or barley gluten—the
types of gluten most associated with gluten disorders. Note:
Other ingredients in ready-to-eat or microwave popcorn may
contain gluten, so consumers should read labels carefully if
they are concerned; however, the popcorn kernel itself does not
contain gluten.
Myth: Microwave popcorn
contains diacetyl.
Fact: The flavoring additive diacetyl has not been used in
microwave products since 2007. Diacetyl is a manufactured
ingredient that also is found naturally at low concentrations in
a wide variety of foods such as dairy, beer, coffee, honey and
fruits. In food manufacturing, diacetyl is added to a wide range
of foods: butter, cheese, milk, flour mixes, cookies, crackers,
candy and confectionery products, chocolate and cocoa products,
shortening, food oils, margarines, flavored syrups, potato
chips, corn chips, ready-to-mix desserts, prepared frosting, and
gelatin desert preparations.
Myth: Microwave popcorn
contains PFOA.
Fact: PFOA, or perflourooctanoic acid, is sometimes used in
grease-resistant coatings for paper, such as fast food wrappers,
candy wrappers, and pizza box liners. Bag manufacturers have been
addressing the issue of removing PFOAs since 2006, and confirm
that the grease resistant coating in the majority of microwave
popping bags is not produced with PFOA.