Newman's Own · Microwave Popcorn
Newman's Own Microwave Popcorn
Microwave popcorn bags likely contain grease-resistant PFAS; brand silent on content.
Microwave popcorn bags typically use fluorochemical coatings for grease resistance. Newman's Own does not publicly disclose PFAS in their packaging or claim PFAS-free status.
The better-graded swap
Trader Joe's
2 Packs Trader Joe's Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn 5.5 Oz Each Pack
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
paperboard with grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Newman's Own Microwave Popcorn is made of, ingredients and materials
Newman's Own microwave popcorn comes in paperboard bags lined with a grease-resistant coating to prevent oil migration during cooking. Microwave popcorn bags are a recognized source of PFAS chemicals (PFAS "forever chemicals"), which are used in the lining to repel fats and moisture. When the bag is heated in a microwave, there is potential for PFAS to migrate into the popcorn, particularly into oils and fats. The paperboard itself is benign, but the functional coating is the primary concern.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Microwave popcorn bags are a documented source of PFAS migration; Newman's Own does not publicly disclose whether their bags use PFAS-containing liners, but industry standard practice suggests they likely do.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Repeated heating cycles and physical wear can degrade the bag lining over time; fragmentation and ingestion of micro-sized coating particles is theoretically possible but not formally documented in this specific product.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Mineral oil or other slip agents in coating
No specific hazards from slip agents or non-PFAS grease blockers in Newman's Own bags are documented in available safety records.
Ink migration from outer printing
Newman's Own bags use standard food-grade inks for outer printing; no contamination issues are on record for this brand or product line.
BPA & bisphenols
Paperboard-based food contact materials are not a typical source of BPA/BPS; Newman's Own does not appear to use plastic liners that would introduce these hazards.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Newman's Own has not publicly disclosed the chemical composition of their microwave popcorn bag linings or committed to PFAS phase-out. The company is known for philanthropic practices and use of organic ingredients in many products, but has remained silent on food-contact packaging safety specifics. No recalls or formal safety warnings specific to this product are on record. Their lack of transparency on this issue places them behind competitors who have begun phasing out PFAS in food packaging.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional microwave popcorn bags use PFAS-containing coatings, so Newman's Own is not uniquely problematic within the category. However, some competitors (including organic and premium brands) have begun transitioning to PFAS-free liners or offering stovetop alternatives. Air-popped or stovetop popcorn in uncoated containers eliminates this exposure pathway entirely. Newman's Own occupies the middle ground, better ingredient sourcing than mass-market brands, but no public commitment to lower-concern packaging chemistry.
If you buy it
Follow manufacturer heating instructions and do not overheat bags, as excessive temperature may increase chemical migration. After popping, transfer popcorn to a separate container rather than eating directly from the bag lining. If PFAS exposure is a concern for your household, consider stovetop popcorn or air-poppers as alternatives. Frequency of consumption matters; occasional use poses lower risk than daily intake.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Newman's Own has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Newman's Own Microwave Popcorn?
- puffed rice cakes in paperboard packaging
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Mold or bacterial growth in packaging
- paperboard popcorn bag, grease-resistant interior lining
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Moisture and mold risk if bag is compromised
- paper-based food packaging with standard coating
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Ink migration (printing on exterior or interior)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More microwave popcorn grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.