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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last July by the vegan advocacy group Cancer Project asserting that hot dogs cause cancer.

The Cancer Project originally filed claims against several hot dog manufacturers on behalf of three New Jersey residents who alleged they were exposed to carcinogens by eating hot dogs — even though none of the plaintiffs had actually developed cancer.

In addition to money damages, the lawsuit also sought an order requiring hot dogs to bear the following label: “Warning: Consuming hot dogs and other processed meats increases the risk of cancer.”

Although a few studies have attempted to link processed meats with an increased risk of cancer by focusing on the potential health effects of nitrites used as preservatives, the fact remains that nitrates occur naturally in fruits and have actually been proven to improve health in many ways. In turn, numerous additional scientific studies, including one from Harvard University in 2004, have found no link between meat consumption and an increased cancer risk.

Concerned about the potentially frivolous nature of the claims, and citing the lack of scientific support for the allegations, the hot dog manufacturers promptly filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. On March 18, 2010, Judge Jose Linares, of the United States Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey, granted the motion and dismissed the case in its entirety.

"We are pleased that the court moved quickly and dismissed this lawsuit," said J. Patrick Boyle, president of the American Meat Institute. As explained by Boyle, Meat products are regulated and inspected by the USDA and bear the federal government's seal of inspection, showing they are wholesome and nutritious.”

And, Boyle is not the only authority on the matter. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, processed meat and poultry products — including hot dogs — can be, and often are, a healthy part of a balanced (and, frankly, tasty) diet.

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According to the FDA, Service Smoked Fish Corp. (based in Brooklyn, New York), has announced a voluntary recall of certain Brooklyn's BEST brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON.

The Smoked Nova Salmon affected by the recall was vacuum-packed in clear, plastic bags of various size packages including 3 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., and random weight sides with the brand name "Brooklyn's BEST" appearing on a circular label inside the vacuum bag. A "Use-By" date appears on the bottom of the gold board. Units with "Use-By" dates of 12/03/09 through 12/19/09 are being recalled. The product was also air-packed in bulk boxes. Air-packed units with lot numbers 060 through 043 are being recalled. No other use-by dates or lots numbers are involved in this recall.  Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release.

The Smoked Nova Salmon was distributed in the greater New York area, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the areas of Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, Oregon. Consumers may have purchased the product from retail food stores.

The company announced the recall following the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes during routine product sampling. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product, and is working with the FDA to investigate the potential source of the problem.

It is also important to note that, to date, there have been no illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, consumers who may have purchased the above "Use-By" dates or lot codes of "Brooklyn's BEST" brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions, or who need additional information, are invited to contact the company at 718-388-4067.

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According to the California Department of Public Health, Ippolito International (based in Salinas) has announced a voluntary and precautionary recall of select “Queen Victoria” and “Tubby” bunched spinach.

The spinach affected by the precautionary recall was packed in 12-count and 24-count spinach bunches in cardboard boxes with “Spinach” printed on the side panel, in wire bound crates or reusable plastic containers. The cartons of recalled spinach were also labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton:

• 10522441 5 205 (harvested September 1, 2009);

• 10522451 5 205 (harvested September 2, 2009);

• 10522461 5 205 (harvested September 3, 2009).

The Tubby label was packed only on Code Date 10522451 5 205.

In turn, the individual 12-count and 24-count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says “PLU 4090 UPC 33383-65200.” The twist tie associated with the “Queen Victoria” label has the Queen Victoria logo on it. The twist tie for the Tubby label has a generic spinach band on it.

Of the 1,715 cartons of bunched spinach recalled, a total of 1,515 cartons were packed under the “Queen Victoria” label and distributed to California, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and to British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba in Canada. The remaining 200 cartons were packed under the “Tubby” label and distributed in California and New York. The recalled spinach was distributed to retail, food service and wholesale buyers.

Ippolito International immediately announced the precautionary recall following the discovery of Salmonella during routine product testing. It is also important to note that, to date, there have been no illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, consumers who purchased these products should discard them or return to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions, or who need additional information on where the recalled products were sold, are also invited to contact Ippolito International at 1-831-772-9991.

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According to the FDA, Quesos Mi Pueblito has announced a voluntary recall of certian cheese products because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Click on the following link to view the FDA Recall Reslease.

The specific products affected by the recall, with "sell by dates" from February 2, 2009 to the present, are as follows:

• LA FE OAXACA STRING CHEESE: [USP: 0 23545 40115 6] 14 oz. pack (plastic package);

• EL VIEJITO OAXACA CHEESE: [USP: 7 18122 18071 4] 14 oz. pack, 10 lb. ball (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO COTIJA/AñEJO: [USP: 0 24077 10221 4] vacuum packed in plastic wrap by specific weight (plastic wrapped);

• MI PUEBLITO CUAJADA FRESCA: [USP: 0 24077 10216 0] 14 oz. pack (plastic wrapped);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO COLOMBIANO DE ARRIERO: [USP: 0 24077 10219] 1 / 8 oz. pack (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO MOLIDO: [USP: 0 24077 10211 5] 14 oz. pack (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO COTIJA TRIANGULO: [USP: 0 24077 10220 7] 14 oz. pack (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO FRESCO: [USP: 0 24077 100258] 14 oz. pack, 10 lb. ball (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO FRESCO DE RANCHO: [USP: 0 24077 10215 3] 14 oz. pack (plastic clam shell container, plastic wrap);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO CASERO: [USP: 0 24077 10222 1] 14 oz. pack (plastic clam shell container, plastic wrap);

• MI PUEBLITO QUESO OAXACA: [USP: 0 24077 10224 5] 14 oz. pack (plastic package);

• MI PUEBLITO REQUESON: [USP: 0 24077 10200 9] 15 oz. pack (plastic package); and

• MI PUEBLITO SERRANO: [USP: 0 24007 10200 0] 16 oz. pack (plastic package).

The recalled products (produced by the company in Passaic, New Jersey) were distributed through Puebla Foods, Inc. to retail stores and wholesalers in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Click on the following link to view the affected Product Labels. The potential problem was discovered through routine sampling and analyses conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health.

It is also important to note that, to date, no illnesses have been associated with the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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Chang Farms (of Whatley, Massachusetts) has announced a voluntary recall of select Soy Bean Sprouts following the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes during FDA product testing.

The affected products were labeled under the Chang Farm Brand as “Soy Sprouts,” and have a “Sell By” date of July 17, 2009. The soy bean sprouts, packaged in 10 lb bags (bulk) and 12 oz plastic bags (retail), were distributed to retail stores and wholesalers throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. To date, no illnesses have been associated with the consumption of these products. Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release.

According to the FDA, retail stores and wholesalers who have received these products should remove them from shelves. In turn, consumers are being instructed to either discard any affected products, or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

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Chang Farm, a Massachusetts company, has issued a voluntary recall of various bean and soy sprouts because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The sprouts were distributed to restaurants and retail stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Click on the following link to view the FDA Recall Notice.

According to the FDA, the contamination was discovered after a product sample (obtained from a retail store in New York) tested positive for Listeria. To date, no illnesses have been associated with the recalled sprouts.

The affected products, labeled as Chang Farm Brand soy sprouts and bean sprouts, are packaged in 10-pound bags (bulk) and 12-ounce plastic bags (retail). The soy sprouts have a “Sell By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009, and the bean sprouts have a “Use By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009.

All grocery stores, food services, and other retailers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey are being advised to remove the recalled products from their shelves. In turn, consumers should either discard the products, or return them to the place of purchase.

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