Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
"Natural" Hot Dogs Contain As Much Delicious Cancer As Standard Dogs
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 3, 2011
Modified Jul 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 3, 2011
Modified Jul 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Before you start bragging to your friends about how you got the last package of Organic Purified Nitrate-Free Low Sodium Fair Trade Meat-That-Holds-A-PhD-In-International-Relations hot dogs at the bodega for the 4th, your cookout bonafides may just be a bunch of bull. Hot dog manufacturers are claiming that the USDA's rules for hot dog packaging that disclose whether or not the dogs contain nitrate or nitrite—preservatives that have been linked to colorectal cancer—are confusing and downright deceptive. Does this mean new gross labels for hot dogs too?
The Times reports that the USDA requires hot dog products that contain the preservatives naturally through celery powder or other means to carry a label that says "Uncured" and "No nitrates or nitrites added," despite the fact that they may have up to "10 times the amount of nitrite" of conventional hot dogs. 50,000 people in the US die each year of colorectal cancer, and a study conducted in 2007 said that eating a hot dog every day can increase your chances of getting colorectal cancer by 21 percent.
The president of hot dog-maker Applegate Farms tells the paper that they're pushing for clearer labeling because "labels should help consumers make informed decisions and we are open to reviewing additional information to enhance accuracy in labeling." Considering that just a few decades ago hot dogs were just plain bad news, this is progress! Moderation is key people (just not on Monday at Coney Island), so try not to overdo it on the dogs, except for the ones with cheese inside them: we also have it on good authority that they improve your eyesight.
Tagged
america
cancer
colorectal cancer
downers
hot dog
hot dogs
nathan's hot dogs
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .