June 2011 Prepared Foods-- Palm oil may be the staple of microwave popcorn brands, but one new launch attempts to capitalize on the positive health appeal of olive oil. Weaver Gold, described as the first microwave popcorn brand made with olive oil, is available in Movie Theater Butter and Parmesan with Italian Herbs & Garlic, with Light Butter and Classic Butter varieties due to come on-stream “in the near future.”

Weaver Popcorn Company notes its use of olive oil provides a popcorn “significantly lower” in saturated fat, while also noting “olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and helps to protect against heart disease...and is high in antioxidants.” pf