We Need To Talk About What's Actually In The Butter On Movie Theater Popcorn (2024)

If you're like most people who think that one of the best parts about taking a trip to the movies is eating as much of that questionably delicious movie theater popcorn as you can, then you may want to sit down for this one. We're sure there's nothing you love more than watching the concession worker top off your extra large popcorn with that beautiful, buttery liquid but, as sorry as we are to break it to you, movie theater butter isn't actually butter. And, seeing as there are tons of foods out there that aren't exactly what they say they are, you probably already knew that, didn't you?

According to Extra Crispy, that "butter" is actually made with Flavacol and Butter Flavored Topping. If you've ever wondered just what it is about movie theater popcorn that gives it that special, yellow color, you can chalk that up to Flavacol, which is basically just a type of seasoning salt that goes on the popcorn. Butter Flavored Topping on the other hand is just an oil that mimics the taste of butter, and it's made with chemicals like beta carotine (an organic pigment that's found in vegetables like carrots and spinach), polydimethylsiloxane (an anti-foaming agent), tertiary Butylhydroquinone (a synthetic antioxidant that slows down oxidation), and hydrogenated soybean oil. So, essentially, you're just eating salt and chemicals, though those chemicals have obviously been labelled safe to eat by the FDA.

It's not like you asked to be told that everything you've ever believed is a lie today but, of course, we had to let you know anyway.

(h/t Extra Crispy)

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