A Colorado man who consumed two to three bags of microwave popcorn every day for a decade has won a $7.3 million judgment against popcorn maker Glister-Mary Lee, supermarket chain Kroger and its Dillon Cos. subsidiary. Wayne Watson was diagnosed with “popcorn lung,” damage to the airways caused by exposure to diacetyl, a chemical contained in artificial butter flavoring on the popcorn. A federal jury awarded $2.3 million in actual damages and $5 million in punitive damages. One of the defendants has said it will appeal.
