FAQs
Why do you say “reinventing microwave popcorn” on your packaging?
Microwave popcorn has been virtually the same for over 50 years. The bags came with a large block of hydrogenated oil, mixed with popcorn and artificial flavours and colours. We popped the chemical latent bag in the microwave and popped it for around three minutes.
Understanding just where microwave popcorn has gone wrong was our first step in “reinventing microwave popcorn.” We challenged ourselves to find a way to enjoy fresh, hot microwave popcorn without all of the downsides of current products.
With our microwave popcorn you begin with 100% GMO Free, NZ grown corn in our proprietary “Natural Pop” bag (hyper link “Natural Pop” to the FAQ just below).
Once you pop your Naked Kernel popcorn you add your first flavour sachet #1. This sachet includes a premium NZ produced corn oil or our real NZ butter (depending on the flavour you have chosen.) You shake up the bag to get coverage. Then you add your second flavour sachets #2 which includes either our pure maple sugar from Vermont or sea salt. Give it a final shake and it’s ready to enjoy.
We feel the popping process has been reinvented, the ingredients have been reinvented and the popping bag has been reinvented….all for the better! Finally a microwave popcorn you can give the whole family!
Why is your Natural Pop bag different than other microwave bags?
Traditional microwave bags have an exterior chemical coating (until recently that chemical was perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA), this chemical helps make their microwave bag grease resistant. PFOA’s were banned in 2011, the replacement chemicals different variations of PFC’s had a further 5 variations banned in 2016. But many experts are concerned that extraordinarily little is known about the replacement chemical that is currently being used on microwave bags.
Traditional microwave bags also often contain a “susceptor” which is a metallic patch attached to the interior of the bag and is used to increase the interior cooking temperature of the bag. The issue with susceptors is that they can break down during the microwaving process creating potentially harmful chemicals to enter the popcorn.
Our Natural Pop bag is made of proprietary packaging that includes NO chemicals, No susceptors, No metals, No plastics! Our bags are made of 100% non-bleached, food grade paper and they are completely compostable.
Are your products allergy friendly?
We are also proudly lab certified soy, peanut, gluten, dairy free (except our butter/sea salt flavour.)
We do not use any tree nuts in any of our products, although we do not lab certify each nut variety is excluded but it is our commitment to our customers!
We maintain a 100% nut free facility and do not allow any products on our manufacturing lines that have gluten, soy or nuts!
Are your products GMO free?
Yes, our products are GMO free and we use only 100% NZ produced quality ingredients!
Is your packaging recyclable?
Yes! Our popcorn boxes are recyclable, and the microwave Natural Pop bags are compostable.
What are PFOA’s (Perfluorooctanoic acid)?
It is one of several chemical compounds often used in the coating for nonstick cookware, fire-fighting foam, as well as in the lining of food packaging such as pizza boxes and microwave popcorn bags. The coating helps make the packaging more grease resistant.
Well how does that affect me?
A study by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) found that up to 20 percent of PFOA levels in our bodies can come from consuming a mere 10 bags of microwave popcorn a year.
Are PFOA’s dangerous?
PFOA is a carcinogen, a liver toxicant, a developmental toxicant, and an immune system toxicant. It is linked to various cancers, infertility, thyroid issues, and birth defects. Yep it is bad!
I heard PFOA’s were banned in food packaging as of January 2016?
You are correct! In January 2016, the FDA finally banned the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging.
Unfortunately, the FDA has already approved nearly 100 PFOA-like compounds for use in food packaging—a majority of which have little to no information regarding long-term health consequences, according to the Environmental Working Group.
So, although many microwave popcorn bags are listed as PFOA-free, there is little evidence to support (or deny) that PFOA substitutes are safe to be in contact with your food.* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3855507/
- https://healyeatsreal.com/5-reasons-you-should-never-eat-microwave-popcorn/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/424792-the-cancer-risk-of-microwave-popcorn/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/microwave-popcorn-cancer#cancer
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluorooctanoic_acid
What is a Susceptor?
A Susceptor is a metalized, polymer film that absorbs microwaves turning them into heat. It is essentially a very hot plastic covered metal that the kernels sit on. Because popcorn usually sits in oil and has very little to no water, and microwaves work by heating water, scientists developed a Susceptor to help the popcorn pop. The microwave gets so hot that it causes the plastic or metal to burn off and those chemicals and fumes have to go somewhere…your popcorn!*
Why not to use palm oil?
The palm oil industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it is produced, as the land and forests must be cleared for the development of the oil palm plantations.
Why would any manufacture continue to use palm oil?
The simple answer is it comes down to dollars and cents. Palm oil is an inexpensive option compared
to other oils.
Supporting the production of sustainable palm oil.
In a recent study it was found that palm oil is found in almost 50% of all products we regularly purchase in the supermarket. It is not practical to go entirely palm oil free. But we each can make a difference and choose to support businesses that use certified sustainable palm oil. Companies who are certified under the Round-table on Sustainable Palm Oil, or the RSPO have made such a commitment to traceable, sustainable palm oil.
Some of the worst offenders are these 20 snack food companies. Tell these companies that you only purchase products made with traceable, sustainable palm oil.
* https://blog.ecosia.org/why-palm-oil-bad-environment-indonesia-sumatra-orangutan-habitats-ecosia/
Hydrogenated Oil – Why is it bad for you?
Hydrogenated oil is a man-made food substance that is widely used throughout the food supply because of its cost and technical advances. Hydrogenated oil’s chemical structure has been altered to prevent rancidity in foods, which increases shelf life and saves money for food manufacturers. Hydrogenated oil is also known as trans fats, these oils have become more known for their harmful health effects. Many scientists and health professional believe trans fats are so dangerous they should be banned from the food supply.*
Truth behind GMO’s
GMOs or Genetically modified organisms, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature. A large percentage of domestic crops
have DNA that was altered in a lab, yet it is nearly impossible to know which food items contain these genetically engineered ingredients.
GMOs are bad for your body, the community, farmers and bad for the environment. Here are a few reasons why:
1.) Food items that contain GMOs are usually unlabeled
2.) GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides
3.) The health consequences of eating GMOs are largely unknown*
My microwave popcorn didn’t pop well, or it burned. What do I do?
That can be frustrating, and we really apologize! No one enjoys only ½ a bag of popcorn popping or worse yet burned microwave popcorn!
It is possible that your microwave is not a good match for our products. Some smaller or older microwaves don’t do as good of a job of popping as newer and higher power microwaves. If it is taking more than 3 minutes, chances are your microwave and our popcorn just don’t get along. It’s not common, but it does happen.
Here are a few tips to get the best result possible:
- Don’t start and stop the popping process. Once you begin popping do not stop/pause the microwave until popping has slowed to 1-2 pops per second. Good popping is all about momentum, and stopping and starting will dry out your kernels, making them unpoppable.
- Don’t use your microwave’s “popcorn” button. Some of them work well, but others may burn the popcorn.
- Placing the bag inside the microwave on top of an upside down microwaveable plate improves popping in some microwaves, especially combination microwave/convection ovens.
- Once you get a good pop write the time down on the box tab so you don’t have to do the careful listening routine again!
Now, the reason why our popcorn doesn’t get along with some microwaves. Other microwave popcorn bags contain a patch of metalized plastic foil called a susceptor. In some cases it helps popping, but we just don’t feel good about very hot plastic next to our food. Removing the susceptor was a tradeoff, but for us it was the best choice!
We would love to get a few more details from you about this. This will help us investigate your issue further. If you can send us Best Before and Batch information found on the bottom of the carton via the “contact us” page, we would be happy to send you some coupons!
There were items missing from my box?
We are so sorry this happened! Our boxes are packed by hand and while very rare, incorrect or missing items happen occasionally. Please fill out the information on the “contact us” page, and we will send you a replacement coupon.