Maybe youve seen The Water Challenge floating around on social media. But why bother with store-bought snacks when you can make healthier homemade versions, Calling All Dippers and Chippers! If you crunched the numbers, it was admittedly alarming. It happens. I have been in numerous plants that make hot dogs and other processed meat products across this country, he told us. Overall, 14.4 percent of the hot dogs and sausages tested by Clear Foods were problematic, the company said. What are they going to tell us? Hot dogs were found to contain different types of meat than what was listed on the label. Hot dogs have always had a reputation for containing God-knows-what, but recent DNA testing on wieners revealed the presence of human DNA in small sample of the franks. Clear Food says its testing found human DNA in two percent of all hot dog samples. Now thatsahygienic issue. Two percent of the samples tested positive for human DNA, and a whopping 66 percent of vegetarian hot dogs contained evidence of such contamination. about When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip: Healthy Dips For Super Bowl Weekend, about Move Over Oranges! And most of our top guys have seriously dry skin. Oh yeah, sometimes a worker loses a finger or two in the goop vats. It sounds horrifying. Sources for Todays Article: ", After reviewing the company's website and research, Milkowski claims that while the founders have a molecular genetics background, "as far as I can tell they do not have any expertise or scientific training around food or agriculture." At least investigators didnt find a finger, but still [1]. The other other white meat. " Report: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs " said USA Today, in a typical example. Additionally, 10 percent of all vegetarian products appeared to contain meat. While some of these substitutions, hygienic issues, other variances, or off-label ingredients may be permitted by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration], our scientific disclosure allows you, as the consumer, to decide whether the variance or problems meet your personal standard in your buying decision," Clear Food explains. Clear Labs, a nonprofit group that analyzes food at. Even more disturbing, 66 percent of those cases were found in vegetarian-labeled products. originally ran on MensHealth.com. Here's another analysis that will either put everything in perspective or send you into a spiral of food paranoia. Ten products tested contained chicken that weren't meant to, four contained beef, three contained turkey, two contained lamb and, worryingly, nine contained pork. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Eric Spitznagel is a frequent contributor to magazines like Playboy, Esquire, and the New York Times, and was employed for over two decades by the Second City comedy theater, where Stephen Colbert was his Secret Santa _twice. This bizarre information came from a single document released on Oct. 17 by the consumer marketing arm of a. "Imagine how many apples could test positive after being handled by half the people shopping in the grocery store," he says. Clear Food says its testing found human DNA in two percent of all hot dog samples. She is also the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. We talked to the actual experts in meat science, and got the real story, Is there any food more maligned than the lowly hot dog? The hot dog and sausage report was self-funded, according to Clear Food. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. "The U.S. does not allow blood," he says. What makes us human? Like Davey Griffin, Ph.D., a professor and meat specialist at the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M; University. (Supplied: University of Hasanuddin) Four of the six samples that tested positive for human DNA were vegetarian products. In other words, yes, your hot dogs are going to have a little human DNA on them. Major brands, including Butterball, Boar's Head, Hebrew National, Oscar Meyer, Jennie O and Trader Joe's received high marks. Copyright2023, BlackDoctor, Inc.All rights reserved. Human DNA found in the hot dogs was classified as a hygienic issue because human hair or skin dander likely got into the product during the manufacturing process, TruthOrFiction.com said the study reported. Julie Fidler has written hundreds of articles on key world topics such as health, drugs, and law. Substitution occurs when ingredients are added that do not show up on the label. Is there any food more maligned than the lowly hot dog? "It is unlikely that human DNA is harmful to consumer health. Well, as you hopefully already knew, hot dogs arent something you should be eating at every meal. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that in this country alone, we consume around 20 billion hot dogs annuallyor 70 hot dogs per person every year. "It is unlikely that human DNA is harmful to consumer health. But this is not a contaminant but a non-aesthetic idea of something in our food that the average consumer feels may not be pleasing to them.. So, it's true that human DNA was found in hot dog samples - but that doesn't mean that consumers are cannibals as some of the more hysterical posts have claimed after the study was reported widely on media such as ABC News and USA Today. Some, Super Bowl Sunday is upon us again! The stuffers pump the emulsified hot dog mixture into casings. Well, as you hopefully already knew, hot dogs aren't something you should be eating at every meal. ", (As of this writing, reps at Clear Lab have not responded to requests for comment.). It did not. Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs and 14 billion servings of sausages each year, according to the council. Clear Food study found 14.4 per cent of hot dogs or . "DNA is not a food safety hazard," says Jonathan A. Campbell, Ph.D., a Meat Specialist and Assistant Professor at Penn State University. What Are These Tiny Red Spots on My Skin (Petechiae)? Maybe Not, Study Shows, A Broccoli Anti-Aging Enzyme may Hold the Fountain of Youth, Illinois Ag. Sign Up for the Latest Health News and Tips, Home - Most Popular News Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs. The study suggests that those looking for a DNA-free dog should head to Target, Safeway and Walmart, the study reports. For non-meat eaters the results are particularly eye-opening: 10 percent of the vegetarian products tested contained meat (chicken in the veggie breakfast sausages and pork in the veggie hot dogs), and four of the 21 vegetarian samples had "hygienic issues." Men's Health Review: Dymatize Protein Powder, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Altogether, 75 different hot dog brands from 10 different retailers were studied. Part of HuffPost News. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. America's 120-year-old love affair with hot dogs extends from ballparks to backyards to the White House. Challenge yourself to drink one gallon of water DAILY at least for 30 days! In most cases, a lot of humans are employed in the meat industry, and their DNA is throughout the building., Related: The 10 Dirtiest Foods You're Eating, Even if they never actually touch the hot dogs, they are touching the processing equipment, to clean and sanitize it. We talked to actual experts in meat science, and got the real story. Or lips. In products not supposed to contain them, 10 contained tracesof chicken meat, 9 pork, 4 beef, 3 turkey and 2 lamb. And if this new research is in any way factual, 1.4 of your yearly hot dogs have bits of people in them. Sixty-seven percent of hygienic problems found in the report were from vegetarian products. Andrew L. Milkowski, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, says he's "suspicious about the quality of (Clear Lab's) information. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has attempted to reach Clear Food multiple times for further explanation on the report, according to Riley. Clear Foods also analyzed vegetarian hot dogs and sausages. As for specialty picks, the study suggested Taverrite's pork sausages and vegetarian option Gardien. Overall, 14.4 percent of the hot dogs and sausages tested by Clear Foods "were. Two-thirds of that human DNA was found in vegetarian hot dogs. The first human DNA gleaned from cave dirt came from Denisova Cave in Siberia in 2017. But hey, customers hardly ever taste the flakes.". And so does most food that was processed, cooked, boxed, or placed on a supermarket shelf by another human being. Theres a concept thatll haunt you if you think about it too much. The next time you squeeze some ketchup onto a ballpark frank at a baseball game, you should know you could be eating porkor you could be eating someones eyebrows or spit. Schulte, B., Harvard neuroscientist: Meditation not only reduces stress, heres how it changes your brain, The Washington Post web site, May 26, 2015; https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/05/26/harvard-neuroscientist-meditation-not-only-reduces-stress-it-literally-changes-your-brain/. Clear Labs, a nonprofit group that analyzes food at the molecular level, looked at 345 hot dog and sausage samples marketed under 75 different brands and sold at 10 different retailers. One with a hygienic issue contains non-harmful contaminants, such as human DNA. Clear Foods is a company that translates quantifiable molecular tests into actionable food data insights, according to its website. And, yep, 10 percent of them contained meat. People who don't eat pork might want to stay away from chicken dogs and sausages, as some of these brands commingled pork products. Are Farmers Being Manipulated Into Buying GMO Soybean Seeds? A new DNA analysis of hot dogs and sausages in the US has revealed a few harsh realities about everyone's favourite street food. Horton, H., Human DNA found in hot dogs and 10% of vegetarian sausages contain meat, The Telegraph web site, October 27, 2015; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11956947/human-DNA-found-in-hot-dogs-vegetarian-sausages-contain-meat.html. Did you buy every apple or orange or potato or avocado that you groped or squeezed to make sure it was fresh? Well, it is true that human DNA was found in about 2 percent of hot dogs that were analyzed in one study, TruthOrFiction.com reported. The report comes amid unrelated research released by theWorld Health Organization on Monday that finds eating hot dogs, ham and other processed meat can cause colorectal cancer. NR, on the other hand, can make its way into the cell on its own. In light of the news that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially listed processed meats such as bacon and sausages as cancer-causing, this is probably the least of your worries if you're an avid hot dog lover. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Heart Palpitations at Night: Common Causes and How to Treat, Essential Oils for Cough, Cold and Congestion, Sudden High Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention Tips, Sore Throat on One Side: 7 Causes and Treatments, Natural Remedies for the Burning Sensation in Your Stomach After Eating, Hibiscus Tea: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Side Effects, and Recipes, Vegetable Oil Substitutes: 5 Healthy Alternatives for Baking, Frying, and More, How to Treat Nausea After Eating Eggs or Chicken, Diarrhea after Eating: Causes and Natural Treatments, Top 11 Homeopathic Remedies for High Blood Pressure, Heavy Breathing: Common Causes and Treatments, Pineapple Juice for Cough: Effective Homemade Cough Remedies, Pain in the Left Temple of the Head: 10 Causes and Treatments. In particular, two percent of the hot dog samples contained human DNA. The lab does not release the names of poor-performing products it analyzes. The study, conducted by food analytics lab Clear Food, analyzed 345 different hot dogs and sausages, including vegetarian versions. The company found hygiene issues in four of its 21 vegetarian samples. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A spokesperson for Clear Food said that human DNA "degrades the quality of food" but is less of a public health concern. But pig anus may seem like a more appetizing option when compared with the latest hot dog accusation. Heres another analysis that will either put everything in perspective or send you into a spiral of food paranoia. Clear Food also found other problems with the hot dogs, including mislabeled ingredients, which could raise concern among religious and vegetarian groups. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Andrew L. Milkowski, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, says hes suspicious about the quality of (Clear Labs) information., After reviewing the companys website and research, Milkowski claims that while the founders have a molecular genetics background, as far as I can tell they do not have any expertise or scientific training around food or agriculture. And they provide limited information on their methodology. The DNA found in the samples likely came from "hair, skin, finger nail or saliva that was accidentally mixed in during the manufacturing process," according to Clear Food. So, sorry, there arent any pig anuses in hot dogs. But it's definitely disconcerting news for all those who are trying to cut down or avoid eating meat products by buying vegetarian options. Related: Hot Dogs and Processed Meats as Bad as Cigarettes? And most of our top guys have seriously dry skin. "Oh yeah, sometimes a worker loses a finger or two in the goop vats. During these very stressful times, it can be challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep. And heres another quandary worth considering. Molecular biologists at Clear Labs then extracted the DNA from samples of these products and matched them to the genetic code of different animals. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, a trade group that represents hog dog and sausage manufacturers, called the report a "publicity stunt. As one example, in the mid-nineteenth century, rumors suggested that butchers used dog meat for their hot dogs. It sounds horrifying. / CBS News. All rights reserved. Overall, the company found nutritional label inaccuracies, pork substitution and some unexpected ingredients, including chicken and lamb in its hot dogs. Check out the Clear Food site for the complete list of products Clear Food regards as high quality. All that really means is that Clear uses genetic sequencing to figure out just whats in your lunch. There were also issues with the nutritional content listed . Theyre still, as with most things in life, best in moderation. MORE: The 26 Hot Dogs Every Man Must Devour. In addition to the human DNA, 67% of the hygienic issues detected in the samples were caused by vegetarian products. Or shopping at grocery stores, or buying food that at any point in its production was touched by human hands. "U.S. standards and labeling requirements are restrictive," says Milkowski. (Substitution meanswhen ingredients are added to the productthat are not displayed on the label and hygienic issues happen when a "non-harmful contaminant is introduced to the hot dog."). Were pretty sure there arent any hot dog packages that list people as an ingredient, but 2% of the samples contained trace amounts of human DNA, probably from saliva or hair. The products came from 75. Likely more than 2%. Check out the full report for more information about the brands in the US that did well on the test. The Clear Labs hot dog study found human DNA samples in 2 percent of the 345 hot dogs and sausages. But the ingredients of hot dogs aren't nearly as ominous as we're often led to believe. Basically, any food that you havent personally grown or harvested. The human DNA isn't . Trader Joe's is the best bet for vegetarians. It's sometimes referred to as the queen of greens because its nutritional value is just about unmatched. Regionally, the top 3 specialty and regional hot dog brands were Gardein, Taverrites and Field to Family Natural Foods. Eric Spitznagel is a frequent contributor to magazines like Playboy, Esquire, and the New York Times, and was employed for over two decades by the Second City comedy theater, where Stephen Colbert was his Secret Santa _twice. 2023 - All Rights Reserved. Do a google search on the topic and you might end up believing that hot dogs contain everything short of snips and snails and puppy dogs tails. Veggie dogs were the worst off, accounting for 67 percent of the hygiene issues and two-thirds of the human DNA found. Only one of the molecules has vitamin statusNR. The article "Is There Really Human DNA in Hot Dogs?" Nearly every cell in a person's body has the same DNA. How did actual human DNA end up in hotdogs? Researchers for Clear Labs, a company that sets standards for food quality, looked at 345 samples of hot dogs and sausages from 75 brands and 10 retailers, assigning each brand a score up to 100 for the highest quality products. 7 Natural Anti-Anxiety Herbs to Reduce Stress, Human DNA Found in a Small Sample of Hot Dogs and Sausages. However, no kosher dogs tested contained pork. Study: Sustainably-Sourced Goods are KEY for Protecting Endangered Species, California Will Get Swamped by Millions of Mosquito-Killing Mosquitoes, Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Lose Federal Protection After 42 Years, 15 Health Benefits of Cucumbers: Grow Your Own Cooling Food, Ancient Medicine: Black Seed Oils 21 Powerful Health Benefits, Avocados Could be Key in Avoiding Metabolic Syndrome, Numerous Ailments, Cinnamon Could Increase Ability to Learn, Study Says, Your IBS Diet Plan 9 Dietary Tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Major brands including Butterball, Boar's Head, Hebrew National, Oscar Meyer, Jennie O and Trader Joe's all received high marks. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans spent $2.4 billion last year on hot dogs and another $2.74 billion on sausages. Even with this stigma, hot dogs and sausages are incredibly popular in the U.S. Last year, Americans spent more than $5.0 billion on hot dogs and sausages. Remember the first time a friend told you the horrible truth about hot dogs; that they're actually made from lips and hooves and pig's anus? And for most of the Internet, it was enough reason to go into full-on panic mode. What You Should Know: But the good news from the report (yes, there is some!) Some minor adjustments to your diet might be exactly what you need. Does anyone leave a hotdog plant without taking a Silkwood shower? They analyzed 345 hot dogs. Occasionally human workers are involved in the process, but they're wearing so much protective gear you'd think they were handling plutonium. So what does this mean to you? They're still, as with most things in life, best in moderation. This information is coming from a study by a fairly new organization thats using Kickstarter to fund much of its research. By MORGAN KORN October 27, 2015, 8:50 AM Americans spent $2.4 billion last year on hot dogs and another $2.74 billion on sausages according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. complete list of products Clear Food regards as high quality. But lets say, just for the sake of argument, that Clear Labs research methods and results can be trusted. "DNA testing produces no end of surprises but I seriously doubt that parts of human remains are incorporated into even the cheapest sausages. The Absolute Best Crackers for Healthy Snacking, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. As in, homo sapiens. And Gardein topped the specialty and regional hot dog list. U.S. In effect, almost all U.S. hot dogs are made with just meat.. "Theres the old saying, 'You dont want to know how the sausage get made.' At least not enough to worry about. First of all, lets all take a deep breath. Initial attempts by USA TODAY Network to reach out to the company independently have proved unsuccessful. In light of the news that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has, Pork substitution was an issue in products across the price spectrum being sold at a wide variety of retailers. Found ten per cent of vegetarian hot dogs and sausages contained meat. Imagine how many apples could test positive after being handled by half the people shopping in the grocery store, he says. Substitution issues are much more problematic. But there were plenty of impartial meat academics happy to weigh in. Butterball, McCormick, Eckrich and Hebrew National received the top scores for quality hot dogs among major brands. A study of both meat and vegetarian hot dogs showed that they contain unadvertised ingredients - including human DNA. The researchers found human DNA in two percent of samples, and 2/3 of those products containing human DNA were vegetarian products. "It could have come from the person doing the analysis in the lab," says Rentfrow. For the record, no, hot dogs dont contain anus. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest. Meers, W., Hot Dogs Contain Human DNA, Veggie Dogs Contain Meat: Study, The Huffington Post web site, October 28, 2015; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hot-dogs-dna-veggie-dogs-meat_562e45abe4b0ec0a38950dc5. Around 3% of hot dogs and sausages analyzed contained pork where it wasn't listed, ten percent of vegetarian dogs included animal DNA, and most shocking of all 2% of samples contained. It's been a bad press week for meat. After analyzing hot dogs from 75 different brands, Clear Foods discovered human DNA in 2% of the samples studied. That may not bother a lot of people, but it means that 3 percent of the sausage and hot dog products tested contained a type of meat that's often excluded for religious reasons. "We found chicken in a vegetarian breakfast sausage and pork in a vegetarian hot dog," the report explains. Especially when it comes to hot dogs. Most consumers would be pleased and surprised to find out how clean and sanitary these plants are. For hot dogs without human DNA, the study found that Walmart, Target, and Safeway were the safest retailers to buy from. Any organs or edible by-products must be explicitly labeled in the ingredient line and the product name must have a qualifier made with variety meats., Well, what about blood or skin? DNA is not on the FDA's list of product defects, so the agency would likely decide what action needs to be taken on a "case-by-case basis" if it confirmed the report's findings. ", "Anything that's made from meat byproducts is likely to contain parts that don't pass the 'yuck' test," she added. Overall, 14.4 percent of the hot dogs and sausages were listed as "problematic" because of substituted or unexpected ingredients or hygienic issues, the media reports stated. You May Also Like 13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist Overall, 14.4 percent of the hot dogs and sausages tested by Clear Foods "were problematic," the company said. Do they have appropriate laboratory quality procedures with both positive and negative reference sample controls in their analyses?