Newman's Own · Microwave Popcorn
Newman's Own Organic Butter Microwave Popcorn
High PFAS risk from greaseproof bag lining. Skip if concerned.
Microwave popcorn bags typically use fluorinated coatings for grease resistance. Newman's Own does not disclose PFAS status or provide third-party verification of bag materials.
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 bag 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 Organic Butter Popcorn is made of, ingredients and materials
Newman's Own microwave popcorn bags are paperboard lined with a grease-resistant coating, standard for preventing butter and oil from soaking through during storage and microwaving. The coating on the interior surface is the functional barrier that keeps the bag intact but is also the most likely source of PFAS chemicals (fluorinated compounds). Paperboard itself is inert; the risk profile depends entirely on what that coating contains, which Newman's Own has not publicly disclosed.
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
Fluorinated compounds in microwave popcorn bag linings are a well-documented source of PFAS exposure. Newman's Own has not disclosed their coating chemistry or confirmed PFAS-free alternatives. Migration to food is minimal during normal use but cumulative across diet.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Repeated microwaving or mechanical damage to the bag lining could theoretically shed coating particles into the popcorn, though no recalls or documented incidents for this brand exist. Risk is low under normal use but increases with bag reuse or overheating.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Ink or adhesive migration from paperboard
Paperboard food packaging is regulated; no specific PFAS-related concerns have been raised for Newman's Own bags. Inks are food-contact approved under FDA guidelines, and the interior grease-resistant coating acts as a barrier.
BPA & bisphenols
The grease-resistant coating is not a plastic polymer but a resinous fluorinated compound; BPA and phthalates are not expected to be present. No evidence of these chemicals in Newman's Own popcorn bags has been reported.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Newman's Own has not made public statements about PFAS in their popcorn bag coatings or taken transparent steps to phase out fluorinated greaseproofing agents, despite industry movement toward PFAS-free alternatives. The company holds organic certification (USDA) for the popcorn and butter content, but certification does not cover food contact packaging materials. No recalls or formal safety warnings related to this product's packaging have been documented in public safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Microwave popcorn bags almost universally use fluorinated coatings for grease resistance; this is not unique to Newman's Own. Some smaller brands and bulk popcorn sellers have shifted to PFAS-free coatings, but these remain niche. Newman's Own occupies the mainstream organic/premium segment, where packaging with lower concern for PFAS is still optional rather than standard. Consumers prioritizing low PFAS exposure should seek brands that explicitly market PFAS-free packaging or switch to stovetop or air-popped popcorn.
If you buy it
Use the product as directed (microwave according to package instructions); there is no evidence that normal preparation increases PFAS migration beyond baseline. Do not intentionally overheat or expose the bag to flame or extreme temperatures. If PFAS exposure is a household concern, this product is not the best choice; consider stovetop popcorn kernels, glass containers, or brands that have committed to PFAS-free bag linings. Store unopened bags in a cool, dry place; moisture can degrade the coating over time.
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 Organic Butter 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.