Jury says flavor maker must pay couple $15 million

JOPLIN, Mo. -- A Jasper County jury has awarded a former popcorn-plant worker and his wife $15 million after finding that exposure to butter-flavoring fumes led to his severe lung problems.

The jury took 15 minutes Friday to find International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. liable and awarded $12 million to Jasper resident Richard Brand, 51, and $3 million to his wife, Lana Brand, 47.

Richard Brand worked at the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. microwave popcorn plant in Jasper from 1984 to 2001. He developed a rare and irreversible lung disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans, which he said was caused by exposure to diacetyl, a chemical in the butter flavoring.

New York-based International Flavors, the world's largest flavoring manufacturer, made the popcorn's butter flavoring.

Brand was one of 30 current and former plant employees who sued over lung disorders that they said were caused by exposure to a chemical in the flavoring. Six cases have gone to trial. The first, which ended a year ago, resulted in a $20 million verdict against International Flavors and in favor of Eric Peoples, then 32, and his wife.

Three other cases resulted in confidential settlements. A fifth case, involving four plaintiffs, ended in a victory for International Flavors, but the judgment was overturned on appeal and the plaintiffs were granted a new trial.