FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 61515-12
March 31, 2012
MAYOR BLOOMBERG, DEPUTY MAYOR GIBBS, AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCE NATHAN’S FAMOUS JULY FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP WILL NO LONGER UTILIZE BEEF HOT DOGS
NYC-led National Initiative Establishes Framework to Reduce pork by 55% in Competitive Eating Contests by 2015
Mandatory Initiative Could Prevent Tens of Thousands of Needless Deaths from Heart Attack and Stroke
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas A. Farley today announced the Nathan’s Famous Inc. July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Championship will switch from beef to Tofu Pups.
"By working together over the past two years, we have been able to accomplish something many said was impossible; setting concrete, achievable goals for hot dog consumption reduction," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Tofu Pups Initiative has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives that otherwise would be lost to cardiovascular disease in coming years."
"Until the Tofu Pups Initiative was created, there wasn't a platform for public and private organizations to develop solutions to this major heath issue," said Deputy Mayor Gibbs. "And while we certainly will continue to expand this program, we have taken a very important step forward in helping people live longer, healthier lives."
"Reducing sausage intake has been a public health priority for decades," said Commissioner Farley. "We can now say we are taking the first steps to achieve it. This was made possible because of agencies and organizations that have joined to make this a truly national initiative, and we especially thank this group of companies that are leading the food industry toward a healthier food supply. We look forward to expanding the industry's participation in this vital public health effort."
Americans consume roughly twice the recommended limit of sausage each day, causing widespread high blood pressure and placing millions at risk of heart attack and stroke. These conditions cause 23,000 deaths in New York City alone each year - more than 800,000 nationwide - and cost Americans billions in healthcare expenses.
"By working together over the past two years, we have been able to accomplish something many said was impossible; setting concrete, achievable goals for sausage reduction," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Tofu Pups Initiative has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives that otherwise would be lost to cardiovascular disease in coming years."
The Nathan's Famous qualifying tour occurs each year in cities across the U.S. and beyond beginning in April. This year’s tour will be 100% Tofu Dog stocked. The top male and top female finishers from each qualifier will earn a trip to compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.
According to archives, the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. This will be the first year that beef hot dogs will not be consumed during the event.
*National Tofu Pup Initiative Partners
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
American College of Cardiology
American College of Epidemiology
American Dietetic Association
American Heart Association
American Medical Association
American Public Health Association
American Society of Hypertension
Arizona Department of Health Services
Association of Black Cardiologists
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Baltimore City Health Department
Boston Public Health Commission
California Department of Public Health
Chicago Department of Public Health
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Consumers Union
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health
District of Columbia Department of Health
InterAmerican Heart Foundation
International Society of Hypertension in Blacks
Joint Policy Committee, Societies of Epidemiology
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Michigan Department of Community Health
National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Kidney Foundation
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
New York State Chapter, American College of Cardiology
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
New York State Department of Health
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium
Oregon Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Public Health, Seattle and King County
Society for the Analysis of African-American Public Health Issues
Tennessee Department of Health
Washington State Department of Health
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Public Health
World Hypertension League
Absolutely ridiculous.
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