Hidden health risks: Why you should always cook your hot dogs

Although some people dislike hot dogs, they still rank high on the list of breakfast classics. Most of us know that paying attention to their ingredients is worth it, but preparing them properly still seems a bit problematic.

Let’s start by saying that a hot dog is not created equal. On store shelves, you can find high-quality products made from meat and spices and those filled with chemicals, glucose, and preservatives that have hardly been near any real meat. Although the market has responded to consumer interest in better-quality products, it's still worth checking the ingredients before putting hot dogs in your trolley.

Firstly, good quality hot dogs should not be too cheap. Unfortunately, a low price often means poor quality. The most important thing, of course, is the ingredients list. They should contain as much meat as possible, at least 90 per cent. If the list includes MSM (mechanically separated meat), preservatives, and artificial flavour enhancers, it's better to leave those hot dogs in the store. The shorter the ingredients list, the better, tastier, and healthier.

Although finding hot dogs with a suitable ingredient list isn't very challenging and can be found in almost all chain stores, it’s still worth remembering that this is a heavily processed product and should be considered recreational food rather than a regular part of the diet.

After choosing your hot dogs and placing them in the fridge, it’s time to prepare them properly. Since they are already processed, it may seem sufficient to simply remove them from the packaging, remove any casing, and eat them. In the daily rush, not everyone wants to cook them in a pot.

However, it turns out this is not the best solution. Dietitians warn against eating hot dogs raw.

Better not do it. The FDA, or the United States Food and Drug Administration, advises against eating hot dogs without prior heating. Hot dogs can be contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which causes a disease called listeriosis, explains clinical dietitian Anna Jedrej.

The dietitian also emphasises that she does not encourage their consumption. The comments section has sparked a debate. Some pointed out to the dietitian that referring to American standards does not quite relate to European food regulations.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that individuals within the high-risk group for contracting listeriosis heat hot dogs before consumption, even if they are fully cooked.

Listeria monocytogenes naturally occurs in the environment, including in soil and water. It can also be found in animals' gastrointestinal tracts. It contaminates meat products like hot dogs, minced meats, or sausages. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly are more susceptible to listeriosis. For them, the disease can take a more severe course and even lead to sepsis and meningitis.