Frederick Mennen, an industrialist and inventor who founded the Jiffy Pop popcorn business, died Tuesday at his home in Long Beach, Ind., after a long illness. He was 62 years old.

A chemist, he was involved in heavy metal manufacturing and food packaging and in 1958 founded Mennen Food Products Inc., which produced Jiffy Pop. The company was sold to American Home Products Corporation.

He headed the food division at American Home, then in 1963 founded U.S. Packaging Corporation, based in LaPorte, which marketed convenience food and household items. He was president of U.S. Packaging at his death.

In 1977 he received a patent for his invention of an instrument for detecting gonorrhea.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary, three daughters and a sister.