What is 'fluffy popcorn' and why is it dangerous to your health?
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Have you ever heard of 'fluffy popcorn?' The new snack trend is gaining steam on social media but could be harmful to your health, according to a Kansas food scientist.
Kansas State University recently issued a new publication on Nov. 7 regarding the social media trend for indulging in fluffy popcorn. This involves mixing the popular snack of popcorn with a box of dry cake mix for flavor and to increase its 'fluffiness.'
Karen Blakeslee, a food scientist at K-State's Rapid Response Center for Food Science, has a word of caution for those who are taking part in this social media trend. She said using raw flour can lead to health complications by causing illnesses in those who try to make fluffy popcorn.
“Dry cake mix, or any raw flour product, can cause foodborne illness because it has not been thoroughly heated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption,” Blakeslee said.
Blakeslee warns that several recent illness outbreaks in the nation have been traced back to raw flour that causes e. coli or salmonella infections. During the milling process of turning grain into flour, there is no process to heat treat most brands of flour which are available at the consumer level.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns people on its website that most flour is a raw food that is rendered safe through the baking and cooking process. People eating raw flour are at risk of illness which lead to food poisoning. Despite FDA warnings on raw flour, a majority of Americans were found to believe that it is safe to eat, according to a 2019 FDA survey.
“After handling any raw dough or batter, always wash your hands to prevent cross contamination with other foods,” Blakeslee said.
Blakeslee said fluffy popcorn can be turned into a safe food to eat by heating it properly. However, this may result in a less desirable snack. You can learn more about food safety from K-State's Rapid Response Center for Food Science by clicking here.
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