Monogram Foods


Popcorn Lung Case Reported

Nationwide Success

Diacetyl Exposure Lawsuits

investigating monogram foods diacetyl exposure & bronchiolitis obliterans cases

There have been reports of at least one Monogram Foods employee diagnosed with Popcorn Lung Disease (Bronchiolitis Obliterans). The Lyon Firm is investigating this case and other occupational lung disease cases nationwide. Any food manufacturer that uses diacetyl could put employees at risk.

Monogram Foods is a food manufacturer focused on the co-manufacturing, private label, and foodservice channels throughout the United States. Founded in 2004, Monogram Foods manufactures top-quality and innovative food products.

Among their food products are a range of meat snacks, appetizers, assembled sandwiches, bacon, corn dogs, USDA baked goods, and other convenience food products.

Monogram Foods is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, has over 3,000 employees and operates ten manufacturing facilities in six states, including the following:

  • MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
  • BRISTOL, INDIANA
  • CHANDLER, MINNESOTA
  • DENISON, IOWA
  • DICKSON, TENNESSEE
  • HARLAN, IOWA
  • MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
  • MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA
  • PLOVER, WISCONSIN
  • WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS

The U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) warns food manufacturers that inhaling the fumes of flavoring chemicals like diacetyl in the workplace can cause severe lung disease for food workers in production and packaging areas. Cases of popcorn lung have been reported across the country. 

monogram food facilities

Food production plant workers around the country may have faced occupational toxins in processing and packaging areas. Plant workers may have been exposed to high dosages of diacetyl for long durations.

Depending on the specific artificial flavoring and the food production process, workers may have been exposed to hazardous flavorings like diacetyl in the form of vapors or fumes.

Studies have shown that exposure to diacetyl is linked to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in food production plant workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the CDC have warned companies and workers about diacetyl because of the danger of developing serious respiratory diseases.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated personal injury lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of consumer product liability and workplace injury claims

What is Popcorn Lung?

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a form of chronic lung dysfunction in which the lungs deteriorate, and cause a myriad of life-threatening symptoms. The deterioration in pulmonary function is generally irreversible and progresses despite therapy. No effective treatment has yet been established.

First recognized in the 1980s, BOS remains a pervasive illness with devastating consequences. Some causes have been identified. The most common risk factors for bronchiolitis obliterans are working conditions that expose employees to dangerous chemicals.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated workplace injury Attorney and Bronchiolitis Obliterans lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of civil litigation claims.  

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

Diacetyl Exposure Injury

Exposure to diacetyl production appears to be responsible for causing bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in chemical process workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the flavoring industry have warned workers about the specific chemical diacetyl because of the association between inhaling this chemical and debilitating respiratory diseases.

BOS has been termed “Popcorn Lung” because it first appeared in workers who inhaled artificial butter flavor in microwave popcorn manufacturing facilities.

The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and others have reported that exposure to diacetyl causes not only bronchiolitis obliterans, but other chronic lung diseases, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, granulomatosus disease, emphysema, asthma and interstitial lung disease. The chemical has been removed from most consumables in the United States.

Food Production & Diacetyl

In May 2000, an occupational medicine physician reported eight cases of fixed obstructive lung disease in former workers of a microwave popcorn factory. All eight had a respiratory illness resembling bronchiolitis obliterans, and had worked at the same popcorn factory in durations ranging from 8 months to 9 years.

NIOSH evaluated the factory for respiratory hazards to workers, and concluded that workers exposed to flavorings at microwave popcorn factories are at risk for developing lung diseases. Monogram Foods workers may also be at risk if working in a facility using diacetyl. 

Workers at coffee processing facilities also may face the same occupational hazard. NIOSH investigators published a report in 2013 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine about a health hazard evaluation at a coffee processing facility. Five former workers at a coffee processing facility that roasted, ground, and flavored coffee developed popcorn lung.

Symptoms of Popcorn Lung Disease

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (popcorn lung disease) usually presents with a serious cough and regular shortness of breath as soon as two weeks after diacetyl exposure. Specific symptoms of diacetyl-related lung diseases may include the following:

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Pale or bluish appearance to the skin
  • Crackling or rattling sounds in the lungs
  • Fatigue
  • Chest that appears sunken while breathing
  • Quickened breathing at rest
  • Whooping cough
photo of attorney Joe Lyon reviewing popcorn lung cases
A Voice for Those who have suffered 

Why are these cases important?

Toxic exposure cases help empower employees to fight for their right to be protected, satisfactorily informed, and to stay safe. They also bring awareness to challenge and higher the expectations of companies who are not serving their employees justly.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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