We didn't reach out to any of the major hot dog manufacturers, because obviously they would only deny the study's findings. However, areport uncoveredsome startling findingson what peopleare really eating when theybite into a frankfurter. A new DNA analysis of hot dogs and sausages in the US has revealed a few harsh realities about everyone's favourite street food. It did not . Biden was treated for basal cell carcinoma. Woot! ", "It's entirely possible that the human DNA found could be linked back to the company's own staff," Riley said in a statement on Tuesday. They also discovered human DNA in two percent of the samples. ", "We are unfamiliar with [Clear Food] and have a difficult time determining what to make of their methods or their findings," NHDSC spokesperson Janet Riley told ABC News in a statement today. 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. How is anything from the bodies of a hotdog worker getting into the mix? Where Did The Human Dna In Hot Dogs Come From - BikeHike Altogether, 75 different hot dog brands from 10 different retailers were studied. What they found was that 14.4 percent of the items tested were problematic in some way, either as a result of contamination - which means that a non-harmful contaminant was found, most often human DNA - or substitution, which is where another food ingredient that's not on the label has been added. Overall, 14.4% of the hotdogs and sausages that were tested were listed as "problematic" because of substituted or unexpected ingredients or hygienic issues. But it's there. HUMAN DNA found in popular hot dog and sausage brands "I have been in numerous plants that make hot dogs and other processed meat products across this country," he told us. What is a Detox Bath and How do You take One? The U.S. does not allow blood, he says. It sometimes seems like it exists not because people enjoy the taste of a frankfurter, but because we just love speculating about all the secret and super-gross ingredients.. 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.. The company analyzed 345 hot dog and sausage products from 75 brands and 10 retailers, and said they found "human DNA in 2% of the samples, and in 2/3rds of the vegetarian samples.". "One thing's certain: questions about the hot dog are as old as the hot dog itself. Department Illegally Seizes Privately Owned Bees Resistant to GMO Poison, Breakdown of GMO Labeling Laws in Each Country (Global Map), What Theyre Not Telling You About Monsantos Role in Ukraine, Toxic Weedkiller Dicamba Drift Damages Crops Across America. Substitution occurs when ingredients are added that do not show up on the label. As one example, in the mid-nineteenth century, rumors suggested that butchers used dog meat for their hot dogs. A report found some evidence of human DNA in a small percentage of tested hot dogs, a study shows. Beef, chicken, pork, and lamb were all found as unlisted ingredients. During these very stressful times, it can be challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep. This information is coming from a study by a fairly new organization thats using Kickstarter to fund much of its research. Stop Freaking Out About Human DNA in Hot Dogs - Gizmodo Occasionally human workers are involved in the process, but they're wearing so much protective gear you'd think they were handling plutonium. Apparently not too many of us do. Test finds human DNA in hot dogs, meat in 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. It would appear that modern hot dogs are made almost entirely by scary-looking machines. According to a study from Clear Labs, an independent food analytics startup, 10 percent of vegetarian hot dog products contain meat. 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. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has attempted to reach Clear Food multiple times for further explanation on the report, according to Riley. Four of the six samples that tested positive for human DNA were vegetarian products. MORE: 5 Gross Guy Habits That Are Good for You, The study comes from Clear Labsa food analytics startup based in Menlo Park, CA which used "genomic technology" to investigate hot dogs on a molecular level. It did not. Does anyone leave a hotdog plant without taking a Silkwood shower? One study found that wieners, bacon and other processed meats probably contribute to cancer, and now news of this study comes out. originally ran on MensHealth.com. ", 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." Actually, such items as feces, maggots and rodent hair in processed foods are allowed by the FDA because food growing and manufacturing processes cannot be totally free of non-hazardous, naturally occurring defects. "In most cases, pork found its way into chicken and turkey sausages," said Clear Food. Yes, humans work at meat processing establishments, he says. Vitamin Status. 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 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. So, sorry, there aren't any pig anuses in hot dogs. / CBS News. What makes us human? The article "Is There Really Human DNA in Hot Dogs?" That human DNA the Fresh Lab scientists found on the hotdogs they tested? For the record, no, hot dogs dont contain anus. Interestingly, two-thirds of the samples with human DNA were from vegetarian hot dogs, indicating that the meat-free options had more hygiene issues than the regular sausages. The study was conducted by Clear Food, a consumer guide that makes its recommendations based on DNA analysis. Basically, any food that you havent personally grown or harvested. They analyzed 345 hot dogs from 75 brands, and found human DNA in 2% of the samples, and in 2/3rds of the vegetarian samples.. For hot dogs without human DNA, the study found that Walmart, Target, and Safeway were the safest retailers to buy from. All of these things can contaminate meat on the production line as its prepared and packaged. 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. They analyzed 345 hot dogs from 75 brands, and found "human DNA in 2% of the samples, and in 2/3rds of the vegetarian samples.". 9 Surprising Foods Packed With Vitamin C, 10 Signs Youre Living With Clogged Arteries, Tracee Ellis Ross at 50: Loving Her Body With No Filter, Taraji P. Hensons Workout: It Keeps Me Calm & Happy, Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated, BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy, 10 Foods Thatll Have You Sleeping Like A Baby, When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip: Healthy Dips For Super Bowl Weekend, Move Over Oranges! According to the data collected by Clear Foods it has been found that out of 345 hot dogs and sausages being analysed, two percent has traces of human DNA. 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. Do they have appropriate laboratory quality procedures with both positive and negative reference sample controls in their analyses? There's a concept that'll haunt you if you think about it too much. 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. Clear Food says its testing found human DNA in two percent of all hot dog samples. What is DNA?: MedlinePlus Genetics According to "The Hot Dog Report" put out by Clea. For example, 10% of all vegetarian samples contained meat; chicken was found in a vegetarian breakfast sausage and pork was found in a vegetarian hot dog. standards and labeling requirements are restrictive, says Milkowski. Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. "Yes, humans work at meat processing establishments," he says. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly listed the Taverrite's brand as vegetarian. 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? Then, long links of hot dogs are cooked in a smokehouse, cooled by being passed under a. If you crunched the numbers, it was admittedly alarming. Study finds human DNA in some hot dog brands - ABC7 Los Angeles What percentage of grocery store fruits and vegetables have a little human DNA on them? Its a theory echoed by Gregg Rentfrow, Ph.D., a professor in Animal and Food Science at the University of Kentucky. Video provided by Newsy, and other processed meat can cause colorectal cancer, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Human DNA in Hot Dogs! - The Alternative Daily Now thatsahygienic issue. The Clear Labs hot dog study found human DNA samples in 2 percent of the 345 hot dogs and sausages. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. BDO is the worlds largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. Developed By, Antibiotics Could be to Blame for Skyrocketing Mental Illness Rates. Major brands, including Butterball, Boar's Head, Hebrew National, Oscar Meyer, Jennie O and Trader Joe's received high marks. All of the latest health news that actually matters. "DNA is not a food safety hazard," says Jonathan A. Campbell, Ph.D., a Meat Specialist and Assistant Professor at Penn State University. But "people" is an ingredient most would expect limited to Soylent Green. Hot Dogs and Processed Meats as Bad as Cigarettes? The Hot Dog Report, Clear Food web site; http://www.clearfood.com/food_reports/2015/the_hotdog_report, last accessed October 30, 2015. The study suggests that those looking for a DNA-free dog should head to Target, Safeway and Walmart, the study reports. What You Should Know: One with a hygienic issue contains non-harmful contaminants, such as human DNA. And they "provide limited information on their methodology. It does, however, score products based on hygiene, safety and accurate labeling, ABC News reported. The study comes from Clear Labsa food analytics startup based in Menlo Park, CA which used "genomic technology" to investigate hot dogs on a molecular level. Hot dogs, bacon, processed meats linked to cancer. (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."). What is DNA? They analyzed 345 hot dogs. Sixty-seven percent of hygienic problems found in the report were from vegetarian products. Oh yeah, sometimes a worker loses a finger or two in the goop vats. Hope you enjoyed your lunch, Hannibal Lecter. Only one of the molecules has vitamin statusNR. Well, we. What is it? "It's always a good idea to make sure that ground meats of any kind are well cooked.". In products not supposed to contain them, 10 contained tracesof chicken meat, 9 pork, 4 beef, 3 turkey and 2 lamb. Ten percent of vegetarian products contained meat. In effect, almost all U.S. hot dogs are made with just meat.". Plant personnel wear clean clothes and gloves, they have sanitary working equipment, and the USDA regularly inspects to ensure that products are made cleanly and safely for consumers.". The Absolute Best Crackers for Healthy Snacking, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. I would imagine if you used the same technology to discover what was on cereal boxes in the grocery store aisle, you might no longer trust what is in other food products as well, Campbell says. Font Size: Clear Food, a subsidiary of food analyzation startup Clear Labs, found that human DNA is present in 2 percent of hot dog and sausage brands, according to a recent study. The study, conducted by Clear Food, found human DNA in hot dog sausage from 75 different brands, besides also finding that 10 percent of vegetarian sausage have meat in them. (Supplied: University of Hasanuddin) First of all, lets all take a deep breath. It did not . Unless you follow Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Human DNA is the last thing you could expect in your food. "The U.S. does not allow blood," he says. Hot dog ingredients have long been a source of controversy. The Hot Dog study found human DNA samples in 2% of the 345 hotdogs and sausages that it looked at. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Hot dogs have never been seen as prime cuts of meat, but a new study has found human DNA in some samples. complete list of products Clear Food regards as high quality. Scientists have sequenced the oldest Homo sapiens DNA on record, showing that many of Europe's first . A new study has just revealed that hot dogs might, if research is to be believed, have a little human DNA in it. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. At least investigators didnt find a finger, but still [1]. We talked to actual experts in meat science, and got the real story. Report: Human DNA found in hot dogs - USA TODAY And, yep, 10 percent of them contained meat. about Take The Gallon Of Water Challenge! And we know that the food being served is almost as important as which team is scoring the most points. Well, we did want to find out," Clear Labs Cofounder Mahni Ghorashi told Huffington Post. Burgers contain rat and human DNA, study finds - The Independent