Does Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Have PFAS?
Does Orville Redenbacher popcorn have PFAS? Here is what independent testing, the EPA, and the lawsuits actually found, plus safer ways to pop.
Does Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Have PFAS?
It is movie night, the kids are in pajamas, and you reach for the familiar yellow box. Then the question hits: wait, does Orville Redenbacher popcorn have PFAS? It is a smart thing to ask, because the concern was never really about the corn. It is about the bag. Let me walk you through exactly what the testing found, what the lawsuits decided, and how to keep popcorn on the menu without the worry.
What’s Inside
- The short answer
- What independent testing found
- What the lawsuits actually decided
- Why the bag is the issue, not the corn
- Safer ways to enjoy popcorn
The short answer
Historically, yes. Microwave popcorn bags, including Orville Redenbacher’s, have been found to contain PFAS in the grease-resistant liner. The brand’s parent company, Conagra, has reported moving away from PFAS packaging, which is genuinely good news, but the picture is muddy enough that I would not rely on the bag. The cleanest answer is to make the question irrelevant by popping plain kernels with a safe popper.
What independent testing found
This is not internet rumor; it is lab work. The Center for Environmental Health tested microwave popcorn bags and detected fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in every bag it checked, naming Orville Redenbacher’s among the brands tested. Years earlier, the EPA studied 17 types of microwave popcorn and found PFAS in the air released from freshly heated bags. And in 2008, the FDA determined that certain PFAS chemicals could migrate out of microwave popcorn bags and into the popcorn during cooking.
Why is PFAS in a popcorn bag at all? The same reason it ends up in fast-food wrappers and pizza boxes: it repels grease, so the butter does not soak through the paper. Useful for packaging, not so useful for the body, since PFAS are the forever chemicals that accumulate in us and don’t break down.
What the lawsuits actually decided
Here is where fairness matters. Consumers filed class-action lawsuits against Conagra alleging PFAS in Orville Redenbacher’s and BoomChickaPop microwave popcorn. A judge dismissed those false-advertising claims. Important nuance: a dismissal of an advertising lawsuit is a legal finding about the specific claims and how they were argued, not a clean bill of health proving zero PFAS. It cuts both ways, which is exactly why I treat the bag as a question mark rather than a settled case.
According to information shared through customer service channels, Orville Redenbacher’s packaging is reportedly no longer produced with the PFAS structure. That is a positive step. But “reportedly” and “no longer” are not the same as a clear, verifiable PFAS-free label on the shelf, so a cautious shopper has every reason to choose a method that removes all doubt.
Why the bag is the issue, not the corn
Let me be clear, because this trips people up: popcorn is a wonderful whole-grain snack, and the kernels are not the problem. The grease-resistant bag liner is the part that has historically carried PFAS, and the heat of the microwave is what helps any coating chemicals migrate. Swap the cooking method and you remove the only suspect part of the equation. I broke this down further in my deep dive on what is really inside microwave popcorn bags, and you can vet specific products in the PFAS Free Life database.
Safer ways to enjoy popcorn
The fix is cheap, easy, and honestly tastes better. Buy plain popcorn kernels (just corn, no coatings) and pop them one of three safe ways: a hot-air popper, a metal stovetop popper, or a reusable food-grade silicone bowl in the microwave. Then season after popping so you control every ingredient. Here are three PFAS-free poppers I recommend:
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Hot Air Popcorn Popper (Oil-Free) - Uses hot air and no coating or bag, so there is nothing for PFAS to hide in. Just kernels and air.
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Original Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper - A plain metal stovetop popper with a hand crank and no non-stick coating, making theater-quality popcorn in minutes.
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The Silicone Kitchen Microwave Popcorn Maker - A reusable food-grade silicone bowl that replaces the PFAS-lined disposable bag while keeping the microwave convenience you love.
So, does Orville Redenbacher popcorn have PFAS? The corn is fine, the bag has been the problem, and the smartest move is to pop plain kernels yourself. Same cozy movie night, zero forever-chemical guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Orville Redenbacher popcorn contain PFAS? Independent testing has historically found PFAS in microwave popcorn bags, including Orville Redenbacher’s, in the grease-resistant liner. The parent company has reported moving away from PFAS packaging, but labeling is not always clear, so popping plain kernels is the safest choice.
Were the PFAS lawsuits against Orville Redenbacher successful? A judge dismissed the class-action false-advertising claims against Conagra. A dismissal addresses the specific legal claims, not a guarantee that no PFAS was ever present, so cautious shoppers may still prefer to avoid the bag.
Is the popcorn itself dangerous? No. Plain popcorn is a healthy whole-grain snack. The concern has been the bag liner and the chemicals that can migrate during microwaving, not the corn.
What is the safest way to make popcorn? Use an air popper, a metal stovetop popper, or a reusable silicone microwave bowl with plain kernels, then season after popping. This removes the PFAS-lined bag from the equation entirely.