Human DNA has been found in 2% of hot dogs and sausages, a study of popular brands has revealed.
Tests on 345 samples from different 75 brands also revealed ten per cent of vegetarian hot dogs contain meat.
Out of the samples that tested positive for human genetic material, 66 percent were vegetarian.
Twenty-one vegetarian products were tested overall.
The testing lab did identify the most hygienic brands of hot dogs and sausages by assigning a Clear score rating.
The score is a ‘representation of how closely a product’s label claims match its actual molecular contents’.
The top five brands with the highest ratings using that metric were Butterball, McCormick, Gardein, Eckrich and Hebrew National.
For consumers who still want to eat vegetarian, the soy chorizo sold at Trader Joe’s was rated as the best option with Trader Joe’s meatless corn dogs receiving an honorable mention.
Clear Food identified the best products overall as the Taverrite’s Mild Italian Pork Sausage from Safeway, the 365 Mild Italian Chicken Sausage and Aidells Organic Smoked Chicken Sausage from Whole Foods and the Ball Park Smoked White Turkey Franks from Target.
Americans spent $2.5billion on hot dogs and more than $3billion on sausages in 2014.
Read More: STUDY FINDS HUMAN DNA IN SOME HOT DOG BRANDS
Report: The Hot Dog Report
