Oy Vey: Hebrew National Hot Dogs Class Action Alleges Kosher Fraud
June 19th, 2012. By AbiK
Whoever heard of such a thing? Hebrew National hot dogs not kosher? Who knew?
Well, those are the allegations in the recently filed class action lawsuit against Hebrew National hot dog maker, ConAgra Foods Inc. that alleges negligence and violations of state consumer fraud laws.
Yes, that Hebrew National—as in the brand mostly responsible for bringing Orthodox Jewish dietary law to the grocery shopping masses with the tagline “we answer to a higher authority”. And, unlike matzo at Passover, those Hebrew National franks stayed in the refrigerated section all year long!
Seems a group of consumers don’t think Hebrew National should be overstaying their welcome on store shelves if they’re not going to be kosher law-abiding citizens.
The group of eleven plaintiffs allege that Hebrew National shouldn’t be labeling their hot dogs and other products as “kosher” (indicated by the “triangle K” symbol) because, according to the lawsuit, ConAgra’s meat processing service—provided by AER Services, Inc.— does not have meat processing services that meet the standards necessary for a product to be labeled “kosher”.
Kosher products can often times sell at premium prices—the video above gives an idea on what’s involved in making meat kosher—and that’s part of the plaintiffs’ beef in this class action as well. By labeling the Hebrew National hot dogs as “kosher”, ConAgra was allegedly able to charge a premium, thereby misleading consumers into paying more for their franks.
According to a report from Reuters, the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and an injunction against further mislabeling. They’re also seeking class action status for the lawsuit in which the Class would include U.S. purchasers of Hebrew National products over the last four years.
More to come…
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THAT IS ALL I BUY!!! BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY ARE 100% BEEF/KOSHER!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS UP NOW WITH CONAGRA!!!!
Sheesh, that's the only reason I buy their hot dogs. I never bought any other brand because of all the garbage in 'em. I guess I'll just not buy ANY now. Now days ya just can't believe ANYTHING!
Geez nothing is sacred anymore!!!
It was two years ago I complained to ConAgra about their Jumbo Loan prices for the franks. I was told that it was up to the retailer. Hmmmmm. $7.00 at Randalls in Houston – $2.50 at Walmart in Houston. Puleeze. I was also told that I was paying more, because the meat is KOSHER. Another lie from ConAgra's parrot.
I cannot believe that I trusted this product to be kosher! My child grew up of this, how deceiving. Is there no end under which the public get's deceived? Shame on them, I am glad they got caught and I for one will follow suit.
Gil Mandl, SC
Did anyone contact Triangle K for a comment?
Hi Gary, Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag who owns Triangle K, issued a statement on it, and no surprise, this was the net of that conversation, as picked up by JTA: the claims in the lawsuit were “outrageously false and defamatory.”. Ralbag also stated that each of the alleged violations–which included these: Knives used in the slaughtering process were nicked, preventing a clean cut mandated by kosher law; Organ meat was not consistently inspected after slaughter, as required for kashrut; The blood of slaughtered animals was not consistently removed within 72 hours, as required by kosher law; Managers took certificates that had been issued to trained slaughterers and replaced their names with individuals who had not been trained; Kosher meat was not consistently kept separate from non-kosher meat.–were false.
i always buy the Hebrew National hot dogs and Salami kosher and pay top dollar because i trusted them to Kosher and not some junk that other hot dogs and salmies and inside. wow can't trust anybody it's all about money and not quality anymore.
Unbelievable that but believable greed in my opinion. Yes, I, too, have been a huge purchaser of Kosher Hebrew National Hot Dogs believing the to be as advertised. I, too, will follow suit. No wonder Costco did not carry this item.l
I have been purchasing these hot dogs for years now, paying the high price and thinking they were much better for you. This is not fair to me or other consumers.
CON agra, is the con-man and the KKK Rabeye is the is the Satanic pitch fork in our Hearts.
I will take the word of Rabbi Ralbag over the word of any Gov't representative(Inspector?) any day. He, truly does answer to a higher authority.
How do I get approved?
I was chewing on a hebrew national frank and bit on a metal staple, fortuneately I didn't swallow it. when I alerted their consumer affairs department, they offered apologies and said they would mail me some coupons……for more hot dogs? No thanks
I remember that Hebrew National was not owned by Conagra until their plant was destroyed
in a fire and they arranged a deal with Conagra to use part of their facilities so they could
continue making Hebrew National Products. Some years after that, the company was bought
by Conagra. IMO, I don’t think the nasty remarks are applicable before the company was
sold. You can check Wikipedia for more information.