Are There Any Hot Dogs That Aren’t Actually Processed?

There’s no denying that processed food gets a lot of criticism these days — often with good reason. A subset of so-called “ultraprocessed foods” like ice cream, soft drinks, and salty packaged snacks have been linked to higher risks of various health problems, ranging from heart disease to mental health issues. Understandably, many consumers are looking to eliminate as many processed products from their diet as possible. However, when it comes to hot dogs, is that even possible? The answer is no, but there are some important caveats health-conscious hot dog fans should know.

First, it’s vital to define what “processed” really means. When applied broadly to food, “processed” can mean food that’s altered in any way from its original state, whether by methods that substantially change the food, such as pickling, curing, and dehydrating, or simple modifications like cutting or freezing. By this definition, all hot dogs — without exception — are processed.

Many people may not know much about how hot dogs are really made (and may not want to). Still, without fail, the process includes chopping up meat trimmings into a uniform mix, which is then typically pumped into a natural or artificial casing and fully cooked before hitting your grocery store or butcher’s meat case. Regardless of what else happens in the process, this qualifies hot dogs as processed foods.

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Beyond Just Processed

However, just because all hot dogs are technically processed doesn’t mean there aren’t differences that may be important to some diners. For example, there’s the split between cured vs. uncured hot dogs. Products labeled as the latter are made with natural ingredients like celery juice that provide the same protective and preservative effects as artificial sodium nitrite. This may be a worthwhile difference for those seeking to eliminate synthetic foods from their diet, but there’s little (if any) scientific evidence that consuming these same compounds from natural sources is any better for your health than synthetic curing chemicals.

Different brands may also have varying mixes of meat, from all-beef to a combination of beef, pork, turkey, and chicken — a potentially critical factor for those who avoid consuming some animals for health, religious, or social reasons. Beyond the meat itself, those concerned about the contents and production of their hot dog should check the label for any added binders, extenders, or other additions that, while permitted by law, may give some diners pause.

No matter which regional hot dog style you prefer, it’s worth knowing what’s in your hot dog. However, there’s simply no way to find one that isn’t processed.

Read the original article on Mashed.

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