Myths and Facts About Mystery Meat

Myth: Hot dogs, sausages, and canned meats are called mystery meats because no one knows what’s in them.

Fact: Mystery meats aren’t really a mystery because the manufacturers are required to include nutrition labels, which state what ingredients are in the products. And, no, there aren’t any really scary ingredients, such as ground-up rats or bugs. Everything that goes into a hot dog, sausage, or can of meat is considered by the government to be safe for humans to eat. However, that doesn’t mean all of the ingredients are healthy.

Myth: Turkey and chicken hot dogs are healthier than beef or pork hot dogs.

Fact: Some turkey and chicken hot dogs might be lower in fat and calories than beef or pork varieties. Yet poultry hot dogs can still be high in salt, preservatives, and other unhealthy additives.

Myth: Hot dogs and lunch meats contain preservatives so that they can stay fresh forever.

Fact: Hot dogs and lunch meats can spoil quickly, especially once they’re opened. Eating spoiled meat can make a person sick. Lunch meats need to be thrown out within three to five days of opening the package. Hot dogs stay fresh for only about a week once they are opened and refrigerated.