Beef industry: Think twice about the franks

[Jeffy Boy]

Maybe this is not the place to ask, but considering that people are discussing these sorts of things: what IS it that makes hot dogs taste like hot dogs?

Well, if you're a fan of Kids in the Hall, you'll know that the secret ingredient is WIENER FLAVOUR! (If you're not a fan, you'll have no idea what the hell I'm talking about...)

I found an interesting link Focus On Hot Dogs - a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service site. It has a full definition of a "hot dog", and applicable rules and regulations. For example:

-> they consist of not less than 15% of one or more kinds of raw skeletal muscle meat with raw meat byproducts

-> the byproducts (heart, kidney, or liver, for example) must be named with the derived species and be individually named in the ingredients statement

-> Turkey Franks or Chicken Franks can contain turkey or chicken and turkey or chicken skin and fat in proportion to a turkey or chicken carcass.

Also, did you know that "The definition of "meat" was amended in December 1994 to include any "meat" product that is produced by advanced meat/bone separation machinery"?

[fifi]

Also, did you know that "The definition of "meat" was amended in December 1994 to include any "meat" product that is produced by advanced meat/bone separation machinery"?

ACK!

That sounds to me like that could get all kinds of nerve tissue off of spinal chords etc. I wonder if that will be changing given the BSE situation.

I think what we are looking for concerning the "essence of hot dog" is... what is the seasoning mix? I would think that is the defining characteristic. After that, "meat" is just the carrier for the seasoning.

[Jeffy Boy]

I think what we are looking for concerning the "essence of hot dog" is... what is the seasoning mix? I would think that is the defining characteristic. After that, "meat" is just the carrier for the seasoning.

Ah yes... The ESSENCE of the hot dog!

Well, here's another good link A Hot Dog Primer for Inquiring Minds from our good friends at the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

Along with meat and water, other ingredients are "curing agents and spices, such as garlic, salt, sugar, ground mustard, nutmeg, coriander and white pepper"

[fifi]

Interesting. That is an interesting combination of seasonings. The nutmeg is unexpected. I am sure every producer has their "special recipe". They all taste the same to me. Further, if they don't, they aren't a hot dog.

[robyn]

Where does one find this Sabrett brand of hot dogs??

At the butcher or at the supermarket or both??

(Hello to Hannah, from another Eddie Izzard fan !!!)

They sell them in Costco where I live (Florida). Robyn

[shelly59]

Thanks, Robyn. We have a Costco up here in Delaware. Will check it out.