Do Hot Dogs Cause Cancer
On July 30, 2025 a Facebook user Nosaemmanieel Zeus shared a warning post urging people to slow down the consumption of hot dogs stating that cancer is not a joke. By August 18, 2025 the post had received thirty-five comments with users expressing alarm and advising others to avoid the product.
One commenter Victoria White noted that even medical doctors consume hot dogs regularly as part of their children’s breakfast highlighting how common the food is in daily diets. Another user Temitope Archibong urged others to stop eating it, while Annabel John questioned whether slowing down meant stopping completely.
Dubawa decided to fact-check the claim as hot dogs are a popular snack in Nigeria and the suggestion that they could cause cancer has serious public health implications that may influence consumer behavior.
Hot dogs, also known as frankfurters or wieners, are cooked sausages made from beef pork or a blend of the two with poultry variants made from chicken or turkey. Hot dogs are typically served in a split bun as a sandwich or enjoyed as street food
The World Health Organization has warned that consuming processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon can increase the risk of developing colon, stomach, and other forms of cancer. This warning follows a review by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer which analyzed more than eight hundred studies worldwide. The findings show that eating just fifty grams of processed meat per day can raise the risk of colorectal cancer by eighteen percent. Processed meat is now classified as carcinogenic to humans in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
A July 2025 report published in Medical News today, showed that even small amounts of processed meat can increase the likelihood of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Individuals consuming one hot dog daily had an eleven percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a seven percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who avoided processed meat. Researchers note that there appears to be no safe consumption level.
Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among non-smokers with dietary habits, particularly high intake of processed meat, identified as a major preventable factor. The Global Burden of Disease Project estimates that around thirty-four thousand deaths each year worldwide are linked to diets rich in processed meats.
Health experts advise caution when consuming hot dogs, Dr Habeebu Muhammad Yaqub, Chief Clinical Coordinator at Medserve Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre, warned that regular consumption of hot dogs can increase cancer risk.
Dietician Shoretire Micheal explained that processed meats contain preservatives, chemicals, and additives that extend shelf life but can be harmful when consumed excessively. He emphasized that occasional consumption is less likely to cause harm if balanced with healthier foods such as legumes and green leafy vegetables.
Clinical dietician Abasianie Udo-Umo, founder of the Lagos Dietitian Consultancy, agreed that studies link processed meats to cancer, but clarified that frequency matters. Occasional consumption once or twice a month is unlikely to have significant effects. The risk arises from regular and high quantity intake.
In conclusion, while hot dogs remain a popular fast food, scientific evidence shows that frequent consumption of processed meats like hot dogs can increase the risk of colorectal and other cancers. Health experts stress that the danger lies in making these foods a regular part of the diet and that occasional indulgence is generally safe. The claim that hot dogs can cause cancer is supported by scientific evidence
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