Hot Dog War: Ball Park Franks Sues Oscar Mayer Over Taste Test Claims

Sara Lee, maker of Ball Park Franks, has sued Kraft, manufacturer of Oscar Mayer hot dogs over advertising that claimed that the Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks beat Ball Park and ConAgra Foods’ Hebrew National hot dogs in a national taste test. Turns out, it wasn’t that simple.

From the Chicago Tribune:

The Sara Lee suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, says the ad is false and misleading because in large type it implies one Oscar Mayer dog bested the taste of all Ball Park dogs. But the footnote, “in very small type,” says that Oscar Mayer compared its hot dogs to “the leading beef franks” of its main rivals.

Sara Lee is also upset about Kraft’s claim that Oscar Mayer hot dogs are 100% beef when, apparently, there are other ingredients.

Sara Lee sues Kraft over hot dog taste claims [Chicago Tribune]
(Photo:Matt McGee)

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