Court Dismisses Litigation Seeking Cancer Warning Label on Hot Dogs

According to news sources, a federal court in New Jersey has dismissed putative class claims filed by a vegan advocacy organization on behalf of state residents alleging consumer fraud against companies that sell hot dogs and processed meats. The Cancer Project, identified as an affiliate of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), had asked the court to order companies such as Nathan’s Famous, Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer, Sara Lee, ConAgra Foods, and Marathon Enterprises, to warn consumers that “Consuming hot dogs and other processed meats increases the risk of cancer.” The case was filed in a state court in July 2009; more information is available in issue 312 of this Update.

A spokesperson for the American Meat Institute praised the court’s action and reportedly said, “Meat products are regulated and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and bear the federal government’s seal of inspection, showing they are wholesome and nutritious. The lawsuit argued for warning labels on our products, but warning labels would be more appropriately placed on PCRM’s websites and press releases to alert consumers to that organization’s true anti-meat agenda.” He also said that “credible health sources . . . will tell you that a healthy diet can include processed meats.” See American Meat Institute Press Release, April 9, 2010; FoodNavigator-USA.com, April 13, 2010.