Chicago Expressway Billboard Offers Frank Talk On Hot Dog-Cancer Connection

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 13, 2012 8:40PM

A Billboard on the Eisenhower expressway is drawing attention, and criticism, for its no-nonsense message. The billboard ad, paid for by the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine, cuts to the chase in linking an increased consumption of processed meats to colorectal cancer, using the artwork pictured above. The billboard is located between Kostner and Cicero and is viewable traveling westbound.

In a press release, the PCRM said they were spurred into action after a recent survey showed 39 percent of respondents didn't know what the colon was—really?—and Chicago was chosen for the billboard's placement because of the city's love affair with the hot dog, and because the Chicago area is home to Kraft Foods, Vienna Beef, and Sara Lee. Illinois has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer among men, ranking sixth in the nation for incidence rates.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council isn't happy with the billboard. They released a statement calling for Chicagoans to use "characteristic Windy City common sense" and said hot dogs can be part of a balanced diet.

"[Hot dogs] come in a variety of nutrition and taste formulas and they are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals," said National Hot Dog & Sausage Council President Janet M. Riley. "[The PCRM's] claims are an effort to seek attention for their animal rights cause.”

Of course, the Council targeted a city that has never passed up a chance to top something with bacon. They cited a few studies to refute the PCRM's claims, but apparently missed today's study released by the Harvard School of Public Health that suggests eating any amount of red meat can take time off one's life expectancy.