When it’s 9 degrees outside and we’ve already done all the complaining we can do, we like to cheer up the family with a movie night, and it’s not complete without popcorn.

However, as it turns out, the convenience of bagged popcorn is much less healthy for you than grandma and grandpa’s “old fashioned” air poppers and pot of kernels on the stove. Surprisingly, it’s not because of the nasty oils or preservatives, no, it’s what the bag is made out of.

The FDA reports that a chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The Environmental Protection Agency has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.” Another study has found an acid that can be extracted from the chemical does indeed cause cancer in animals and is “likely to cause cancer in humans.”

Another possible danger in microwave popcorn is diacetyl, an FDA-approved chemical found in the fake butter flavoring. There’s even a debilitating respiratory disease called “popcorn workers lung,” (the medical name of the condition is bronchiolitis obliterans) suffered by microwave popcorn factory workers caused by extended inhalation of the chemical’s fumes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH) concluded that diacetyl needs further study so that workers in the flavorings and snack industry are no longer at risk

The Food and Drug Administration continues to study whether consumers can develop lung disease from inhaling diacetyl. In response to the concerns regarding the risks of diacetyl exposure, a number of microwave popcorn manufacturers have discontinued using it in their products.

Pop it Youself

Air poppers are still available at most stores and online. A bag of kernels is inexpensive at $2-3 per pound. The kids love watching our popper turn those kernels into popcorn and since our popper is a real cheapy I suppose, often the popcorn flies everywhere, not just in the bowl. But that is part of the fun. Another way, I’ll call it “Grandpa and Grandma’s way” is to make it on your stove top. That’s what my grandparents always did.

Try this: Pour 3 tablespoons of oil into a heavy, 3 quart or larger pan and place on medium high heat. Put two kernels in, and when one has popped, pour in 1/3 cup of pop corn (white or yellow) and cover pan. When corn begins to pop, shake constantly allowing steam to escape from popping kernels–otherwise popcorn will lose its crunch. Remove pan from heat immediately when popping stops or it will burn. Pour into a large bowl and season to taste. We warm salted butter in the microwave in a glass bowl and pour it over the popcorn, stir it all in and add a little sea salt. Yum!