Well, this is surprisng news and it isn't. A team of doctors have said that hot dogs are up there with cigarettes in terms of cancer risk. Of course, there are some differences. Namely, I don't know many people that indulge in 20+ hot dogs per day, though that would be the funniest bad habit in the history of vices. 

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That image, while pretty damn funny, is what has a bunch of groups throwing the "bullshit" flag on the claim made by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a pro-vegan group of doctors. (Figures.) Since people aren't shovelling down dozens of hot dogs per day (with the exception of these guys), the occassional hot dog won't kill you, as long as you're not eating them 24/7. And because hot dogs aren't addictive, a lot of people  are rejecting this claim as sensationalist, as well as their request to put warning labels on processed meats. 

Even the American Cancer Society says that comparing these two things is like comparing apples and elephants. They say that it's not necessary to reject all meats to live a healthy lifestyle, but just to limit your consumption and to ensure that the processed foods aren't comprising a huge part of your diet. While the message sounds more than a little like an exageration, there have been studies that show adding one hot dog per day to your diet (a 50 gram serving) can increase your risk of colorectal cancer by 22%. 

So while they might not be as lethal as cigarettes, perhaps a better slogan would be "Don't eat a dozen hot dogs a week. They're not great for you." 

Sure, that message is pretty much common sense, but that's kind of the point.

via USA Today