America’s Worst Hot Dog Brand Is Sold in Maine

Folks in New England love their hot dogs, and people in our Pine Tree State are certainly no exception!

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Here in Maine, hot dogs are more than just a snack—they're a part of who we are. We have competitions, baseball teams, and festivals all centered around our beloved red snappers. Folks ‘from away’ come from all over to experience our dogs, we take our red snappers seriously, and it's easy to see why—they're the best!

So, obviously, our red snapper isn’t the worst hot dog in America. But first, how does one even determine that?

The publication ‘Eat This, Not That!’ identified the ‘7 Worst Store-Bought Hot Dogs to Stay Away From Right Now’ by focusing on their high levels of sodium and saturated fat, both of which are linked to heart disease. They referenced the American Heart Association's guidelines, which recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 13 grams and sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet.

The article by ‘Eat This, Not That!’ also highlighted a study showing that processed red meat, like hot dogs, increases the release of TMAO, a chemical linked to heart disease, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes. Despite these risks, the publication notes that hot dogs can be enjoyed occasionally if you choose ones with better ingredients and lower levels of unhealthy nutrients.

Now that we've covered all of that, what do they consider the worst hot dog brand in America?

‘Eat This, Not That!’ selected ‘Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Franks’ as their choice for the worst hot dog brand in America.

The publication had this to say about ‘Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Franks’:

Ball Park Brand Prime Uncured Beef Franks is one of the unhealthiest hot dogs on the market because of its incredibly high sodium and saturated fat.

"Each hot dog has 710 milligrams of sodium, which is 35% of the daily recommended amount of 2,000-milligram daily," says Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD. "They're also high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels."

While Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Frank has no added nitrites or nitrates and no added fillers or byproducts, each hot dog has 9 grams of saturated fat. If you eat two (like many people do when eating hot dogs), that's 18 grams of saturated fat, or 138% of the recommended amount per the American Heart Association.

What are your thoughts on Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Franks? Will this influence your next BBQ?