Exposure to a microwave popcorn additive linked to a deadly lung disease

The Food and Drug Administration said on September 5 it was investigating a report of a man who came down with the life-threatening disease after eating several bags of butter-flavored microwave popcorn each day.

workers at factories making food flavorings and popcorn run the risk of contracting the disease, which causes coughing and shortness of breath and steadily worsens.

The Bush administration said on Tuesday it would be "premature" to regulate diacetyl -- which gives microwave popcorn a buttery flavor

Two makers of microwave popcorn, ConAgra Foods Inc and Weaver Popcorn Co Inc, have said they would stop using diacetyl.