Processed meat products are generally viewed unhealthy. This is mainly due to the fact that such meats contain chemicals that are not present in fresh meat. And one way meat processing companies do, is by providing “healthier versions”. One good example of these are uncured hot dogs. And they are market as natural. Is this claim for real? Or just another example of misleading marketing gimmick?

Let’s find out!

What are uncured hot dog?

Here is to give you a little bit of a background.

Hot dogs, like most processed meat, are naturally cured products. This means curing ingredients, along with the ground meat, flavor, and spices, will always be in the list of ingredients.

In the case of hot dogs, nitrites and nitrates play a huge role in the preservation of the product. It helps in curing the meat, preventing the growth of bacteria, especially the botulism-causing Clostridium botulinum.

They also are responsible for the distinct flavor and pink color. Without them, hot dogs would become grayish, and unattractive.

However, these benefits are apparently over showed by one obvious flaw—adverse health effect. When the hot dogs are eaten or cooked, the nitrites react with the meat or the inside of the digestive system to form free radicals called nitrosamines. Also called  N-Nitroso compound, nitrosamines are carcinogenic compounds and particularly dangerous to the young ones and pregnant women. In fact, studies have shown that nitrites increases the chance of developing colorectal cancer. And unsurprisingly, this is a common knowledge.

Further read: How Are Hot Dogs Actually Made?

For the same reason, the use of these preservatives in food is tightly regulated. The USDA imposes an upper limit of 200 ppm residual sodium nitrite. This limit applies to meat and fish products.

Now, back to the question.

Are uncured hot dogs truly healthier?

Have you ever meticulously read the information on the pack of uncured hot dogs while shopping? It should say “No nitrates or nitrites added except those naturally occurring in celery powder and sea salt“.

Like the above statement, uncured hot dogs do contain nitrates or nitrites but only from celery powder—yes, vegetable. And it is not new knowledge that some vegetables contain significant amounts of these preservatives. Aside from celery, beets and lettuce can have as high 2, 800 ppm of nitrates.

But nitrates or nitrites coming from the celery powder does not make “uncured hot dogs” any healthier or safer. Because they are no different from those synthetic ones. Nitrates are nitrates and nitrites are nitrates. Our body absorbs and uses them exactly the same way whatever the source—plant-derived or synthetic.

Further read: Can You Really Eat Raw Hot Dogs?

Today, people always look for food products which says words like “organic”, “no preservatives added” or “natural” on the label. Well, this is a good habit. But what if the statements on the label are mere misleading marketing labels? It is always better to have informed choices.

Now that you know the truth about uncured hot dogs, do not feel bad about this. You can still enjoy hot dog in a bun. But uncured hot dog or not, consume in moderation.

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