Infographic of the Week: What’s In Your Hot Dog

In honor of National Hot Dog Month, Applegate Farms is inviting eaters to learn about what’s actually in the hot dogs they love so much. The company recently sponsored a national survey, conducted by Toluna Omnibus, to better understand how Americans feel about what is in their hot dogs and what they put on them. While they found regional differences in what people like on their hot dogs, an overwhelming 77 percent of respondents – a national sample of 1045 US adults aged 18+, balanced on key demographics – are concerned about what’s in their hot dogs.

“Hot dogs have become the poster child for ‘mystery meat,’ and it’s no wonder with ingredients like sodium diacetate and partially hydrolyzed beef stock on most conventional hot dog labels,” said Stephen McDonnell, co-founder and CEO of Applegate, in a press release. “Our survey found that many people have a love-hate relationship with hot dogs, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Consumers are looking for simplicity of ingredients and confidence in labels. 81 percent of respondents reporting that they prefer to purchase hot dogs with fewer than 7 ingredients as compared to conventional hot dogs that can have more than 15 ingredients,  some of which are also found in fireworks and hand warmers. Antiobiotic use in animals is also a high priority, with 75 percent of respondents reporting concern about its use in the meat they consume. 

The following infographic breaks down what’s in your dog, the issues and offers some fun regional ideas for how to spice up your hot dogs.