Impossible Foods Tells OutKick To Get Its 'Vegan' Hot Dog Story Straight

This beef between Nathan's meat missiles and Impossible Foods' fake hot dogs definitely isn't going away.

In a blistering email to OutKick, a spokesperson for the fake meat brand lashed out at our coverage of 16-time world hot dog champ Joey Chestnut's banishment from the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Impossible is demanding a few clarifications, including us using "vegan" to describe their meat. 

Joey Chestnut won first place eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes during the men 2022 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island of the Brooklyn borough in New York City, United States on July 4, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

(Glistening Impossible Foods hot dogs that Joey Chestnut has a new relationship with. / via Impossible Foods)

"We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It's OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn't have to be exclusive to just one wiener," the spokesperson told OutKick.

Additionally, Impossible took exception to being called "vegan" as the company pushes to "welcome more meat eaters" by encouraging them to "keep eating the meat they love – like hot dogs, burgers and chicken nuggets – while also making choices that are better for them and better for the planet." 

From the sound of things, Impossible's marketing team wants to avoid being pigeonholed. 

"(R)eferring to our brand and products as "vegan" is not the most accurate description as our products are frequently served with animal products like non-vegan cheese and sauces, including at major restaurants like Burger King, Starbucks and White Castle," the spokesperson added. 

Here are the ingredients for an Impossible hot dog: 

Water, Wheat Gluten, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, 2% Or Less Of: Natural Flavors, Salt, Methylcellulose, Spices, Cultured Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Dextrose, Garlic Powder, Dried Vinegar, Amino Acids (L-Lysine, L-Tryptophan), Cherry Powder (to promote color retention), Cultured Celery Powder, Soy Leghemoglobin, Natural Applewood Smoke Flavor, Vitamin E (Tocopherols), Xanthan Gum, Soy Protein Isolate, Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Vitamins (B3, B1, B6, B2, and B12)

Here are the ingredients for a Nathan's hot dog: 

Beef, Water, Contains 2% or Less of Salt, Sorbitol, Potassium Lactate, Natural Flavoring, Sodium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Paprika, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite

Did Joey Chestnut turn his back on all-beef franks or should he be allowed to accept sponsorship deals from a company selling fake hot dogs?

"I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I'm banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest," Chestnut wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. "I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th, and I have been training to defend my title.

"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan's, and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.

"Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!"