New Jersey Group to sue hot dog makers

[John]

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/n..._dog_maker.html

Just another example of government intrusion. I would prefer to make my own decisions rather than have an increasingly socialist government make them for me. First they try to ban trans fat. Remember how McDonald's fries tasted years ago? When they were fried in beef tallow? For those who care about the health issues, don't eat what you consider to be unhealthy. But don't take away my choices. Next thing you know someone will try to ban frying hot dogs. Then they will try to ban hot dogs made from meat.

These health nazis ought to relax and have a beer. And not a "lite" one either! Follow that with an Italian Hot Dog. A well balanced meal if ever there was one. Bread, meat, vegetables, and potatoes.

Where were these fanatics years ago? Oh, they weren't around. People ate red meat without worrying, doctors smoked, nursing mothers would have a glass of wine with dinner and there were no such things as veggie or poultry dogs. And there were less kids overweight because we were all outside playing baseball every day rather than sitting home playing video games on a computer.

I wish these people would go away.

[rlibkind]

John, I feel your pain. But this is not a case of government intrusion. A private party is bringing suit as a private action, albeit with decided public effects should it succeed.

But it's not a case of government intrusion. It's a case of do-gooder intrusion . . . and that's worse than the government!

[Holly Moore]

I suspect hell won't freeze over and I will still be able to consume my minimum daily requirement of nitrates and offal without being nagged by the packaging.

[Allura]

I wonder if us NJ residents that object could file some sort of brief with the court (IANAL)? The article says they're filing "on behalf of all NJ residents". This NJ resident objects!

[slkinsey]

. . . First they try to ban trans fat. Remember how McDonald's fries tasted years ago? When they were fried in beef tallow? . . .

Um... I hate to rain on your parade, but beef tallow is not very high in trans fats. And regardless, McDonald's went away from beef tallow long before anyone had even heard of trans fats. And for that matter, McDonald's could easily go back to using beef tallow if they wanted to. Most of the strictest trans fat bans, such as New York City's ban, only restrict the use of fats containing artificial trans fats above 0.5 g per serving.

[MJP]

I thought McDonald's banned beef tallow so they could sell their fries to vegetarians?

In any case, after seeing the details, I wonder how many people eat one hot dog's worth of processed meat every day for years on end to merit said cancer risk.

[John]

If foods suddenly need warning labels, it's certainly not going to stop at hot dogs. What about soda? Pizza? Capt. Crunch? What if, Heaven forbid, we put warning labels on Ding Dongs? Would consumers stop eating such products?

Doubtful. In most cases, consumers know some of the things they are eating aren't good for them, but they do it anyway. Tobacco products have carried warning labels for years, and plenty of people still use them. And hot dogs certainly taste better than cigarettes.