Man awarded $25M after getting lung disease from popular cooking spray
A 58-year-old Los Angeles resident has been awarded $25 million after a jury determined that a popular cooking spray contributed to his diagnosis of a rare and irreversible lung condition commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.”
Jurors in Los Angeles Superior Court sided with Roland Esparza, concluding that Chicago-based food company Conagra did not adequately warn consumers about the risks associated with inhaling fumes from its butter-flavored PAM cooking spray. The product previously contained diacetyl, a chemical used to create a buttery taste that has been linked to serious respiratory illness.
Although Conagra stated during the trial that it removed diacetyl from the product in 2009, Esparza’s attorney argued that his client had relied heavily on the spray since the 1990s, believing it to be a healthier cooking alternative.
“He was extremely health-conscious — into bodybuilding and martial arts,” attorney Jacob Plattenberger told the Chicago Tribune. “He consumed a high-protein diet, including lots of eggs, and prepared nearly all of his meals on the stovetop. That meant he was using the spray several times daily.”
Esparza filed suit in 2022, claiming exposure to diacetyl led to his diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans, a progressive lung disease that permanently damages the small airways. The condition earned the nickname “popcorn lung” after workers at microwave popcorn factories in the Midwest developed similar respiratory problems from inhaling butter-flavored vapors during production.
Health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have reported that treatment options for bronchiolitis obliterans are limited. While some patients see improvement in coughing once exposure stops, the damage to the lungs is typically permanent.
In response to the verdict, Conagra said it strongly disagrees with the jury’s decision. The company maintained that PAM Butter Flavor cooking spray has been free of diacetyl for nearly 20 years and described the product as safe. It also announced plans to challenge the ruling through further legal action.
According to Plattenberger, Esparza is now hoping to qualify for a double lung transplant in the near future, though his time may be limited.
“We believe the jury reached the right conclusion,” the attorney said. “Roland is a good man who did nothing to deserve this. While no amount of money can restore his health — and even a transplant won’t offer a perfect outcome — it could extend his life by a few years.”
Plattenberger also noted that although similar lawsuits have previously been filed against microwave popcorn manufacturers over diacetyl exposure, this marks the first time a cooking spray company has been held liable in a case involving the illness.
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