No Hot Dog Billboard

Published May 26, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.

(WSB Radio) Do you like hot dogs, especially when you're at a ballgame?  A giant billboard that is now up just south of Turner Field on I-75, wants you to think twice before purchasing one. 

The billboard which compares franks to cigarettes, is sponsored by the Cancer Project,  a nonprofit group of doctors, nutritionists, and researchers who say hot dogs and processed meats in general, increase your chances of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Joseph Gonzales, a dietician with Cancer Project, tells WSB results from several new studies are quite disturbing.

"There's a report by the American Institute for Cancer Research, along with the World Cancer Research Fund which found that just one serving of hot dog, which is about a 50 gram serving of processed meat, increases colorectal cancer on average by about 21 percent.  It's very strong findings and it was 58 separate studies that link processed meat to increased colon cancer risks," said Gonzales.

While he says the billboard is meant to bring awareness and not to ban hot dogs all together.

"Maybe, you know before you go to a ballpark, have a snack before Cracker Jacks and peanuts.  Seventh inning stretch, you could grab a box of those.  Or maybe encouraging the concession stands to offer some different options at ballparks - maybe a vegetarian bean burrito or some soy hot dogs.  I know it sounds silly but they are quite delicious if people just give them a chance," said Gonzales.

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