Jury awards $25 million to man who said Pam spray damaged his lungs

A California jury has awarded $25 million to a man who claimed exposure to Pam cooking spray caused severe damage to his lungs.

Roland Esparza of Los Angeles sued Conagra Brands, the maker of Pam, in 2020, claiming the company negligently sold defective products that could cause exposure to dangerous chemicals.

After years of litigation, the case went to trial last month. On Feb. 4, a jury awarded Esparza $25 million in damages, finding Conagra acted negligently and failed to warn consumers about the risks of using Pam cooking spray, according to filings in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Esparza's attorneys, Jacob Plattenberger and Alan Holcomb, said in a statement that Esparza developed a lung condition after regularly using Pam.

“This unanimous $25 million verdict delivers long-overdue justice to Roland Esparza, once a highly active individual who now faces a double lung transplant after Conagra deceptively marketed their Pam cooking spray as safe,” the statement reads.

Conagra said in a statement that it intends to "pursue all available legal avenues to contest the verdict."

“We disagree with and are disappointed with the jury’s verdict. Pam Butter Flavor cooking spray is safe and has been diacetyl-free for nearly two decades," the company's statement reads.

Lawsuit says Pam cooking spray contains 'hazardous' chemical

Esparza's initial complaint stated he had purchased Pam butter-flavored cooking spray since 1993 and used it to cook for himself two or three times a day, regularly spraying it on a frying pan while standing over the stove.

Through his frequent use of the spray, Esparza claimed, he was exposed to "hazardous food flavoring" chemicals, including diacetyl and acetyl propionyl.

As a result, Esparza said, he suffers permanent injuries, including severe damage to the respiratory system, extreme shortness of breath, "significantly reduced" life expectancy and a lung condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans.

The lawsuit accused Conagra of knowing of the potential harm from the chemicals and failing to protect Esparza from them.

Conagra says diacetyl was removed from Pam in 2009, according to Esparza's attorneys. Conagra also argued that Esparza's "own negligence contributed to his harm," according to the verdict slip. Ultimately, the jury disagreed.

What are diacetyl and acetyl propionyl?

Diacetyl is a chemical often used to give butter-like flavors to food products, including popcorn. Acetyl propionyl, also mentioned in the lawsuit, is a diacetyl substitute, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Studies suggest people exposed to diacetyl, such as in microwave popcorn manufacturing facilities, are likely to develop lung disease like bronchiolitis obliterans, according to OSHA.

Diacetyl enters the body when a person breathes vapors, spray droplets or dust containing the chemical. But a person's health risk depends on how much diacetyl they consume, according to the California Department of Health Services.

Aside from lung damage, diacetyl can sting or burn the eyes, nose and throat and cause skin irritation. Health risks can be mitigated by using respiratory protection, closed containers and proper ventilation, the California health agency said.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].