Home / Crime and Justice / Man Wins $25M Over Popcorn Lung from PAM Spray
Man Wins $25M Over Popcorn Lung from PAM Spray
14 Feb
Summary
- A man was awarded $25 million for popcorn lung from PAM spray.
- The court found Conagra failed to warn about diacetyl dangers.
- The man used the spray containing diacetyl since the 1990s.
Roland Esparza, a 58-year-old US man, was awarded $25 million by a Los Angeles jury after developing popcorn lung from PAM cooking spray. The court determined that Conagra, the manufacturer, failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers associated with inhaling diacetyl, an ingredient in the spray. Esparza's legal team presented evidence that he had used the product multiple times daily since the 1990s, unaware of its potential health risks.
Conagra has expressed disappointment with the verdict and stated its intention to appeal, asserting that the PAM Butter Flavor cooking spray has been diacetyl-free for nearly two decades and is safe for consumers. Despite the legal dispute, Esparza's condition is severe, necessitating a double lung transplant, a procedure that offers a chance for more years but not a full recovery.
