Published: August 28, 2018

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HEATH IS INVESTIGATING THE REPORT OF A HERBICIDE ACCIDENTALLY BEING MIXED WITH POPCORN OIL AT A COLBERT COUNTY RETAIL STORE.  MEDIA REPORTS INDICATE THE CHEMICAL WAS ACCIDENTALLY MIXED IN WITH SOME POPCORN OIL AT RURAL KING IN MUSCLE SHOALS SUNDAY AFTERNOON BETWEEN 2:30 AND 3:45.  THE OIL WAS USED TO COOK POPCORN IN THAT TIME FRAME AND WAS SERVED TO THE PUBLIC.  OFFICIALS INDICATE THE HERBICIDE WAS GLYPHOSATE THAT IS USED TO TREAT WEEDS AND IS OF LOW TOXICITY TO ANIMALS AND HUMANS.  IF CONSUMED, THE CHEMICAL COULD CREATED INCREASED SALIVA, BURNS IN THE MOUTH AND THROAT, NAUSEA, VOMITING, AND DIARRHEA BUT DOES NOT STAY IN HUMAN BODY LONG ONCE INGESTED.  AN ESTIMATED 30 TO 40 PEOPLE ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE TAKEN THE FREE POPCORN. HEATH OFFICIALS ASK ANYONE WHO DID TO THROW IT AWAY IF YOU STILL HAVE THE FOOD.  THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS ONGOING.