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That's sort of like suing cigarette companies after smoking--like we don't know the dangers of that!!
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| Diane C. Lade, Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | |
Aug. 5--Eating hot dogs on a regular basis may pose a health risk serious enough to warrant a warning label, according to a nonprofit group that looks at the links between cancer and nutrition -- and promotes a vegan diet. The Cancer Project has filed a lawsuit in Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey against the nation's best-known dog brands: Nathan's Famous; Kraft Foods, which makes Oscar Mayer wieners; Marathon Enterprises, manufacturers of Sabrett; Sara Lee; and Con Agra Foods, which makes Hebrew National. The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed on behalf of three New Jersey consumers who said they purchased hot dogs made by the companies without being told processed meats raised their cancer risk. The suit cited a report from the American Institute for Cancer Research that suggested eating the equivalent of one hot dog daily increased the possibility of developing colorectal cancer by 21 percent. The plaintiffs are asking the five companies be required to put health hazard labels on all hot dog packages sold in New Jersey reading: "Warning: Consuming hot dogs and other processed meats increases the risk of cancer." "Just as tobacco causes lung cancer, processed meats are linked to colon cancer," said Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Cancer Project, in a written statement. "Companies that sell hot dogs are well aware of the danger, and their customers deserve the same information." But the American Meat Institute, an industry organization, said the suit really was about animal rights, not product safety, as none of the plaintiffs have cancer. The Cancer Project, based in Washington D.C., is affiliated with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The group advocates a vegan lifestyle, including eating no animal products and not allowing animals to be used in research. "We hope the judge will treat this as we view it, which is a nuisance lawsuit," said institute spokeswoman Janet Riley. About 20 billion hot dogs are sold annually, Riley said. Hot dogs, bologna and other processed meats contain nitrites, a chemical used to keep them fresh over longer periods. Nitrites in large quantities can be toxic, and also can join to by-products of amino acids to make nitrosamines, a known carcinogen. But the institute said that federal regulations allow only very small amounts of nitrites in cured meat and that it is safe in levels used. Riley said other studies have found no connection between red or processed meat consumption and cancer, and some researchers have suggested nitrites might have a role in regulating blood pressure or healing wounds. Diane Lade can be reached at dlade@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4295 or 561-243-6618 |
