Downers Grove, Ill.- May 20, 2009- Sara Lee Corporation, the makers of America's #1 Ball Park(R) beef hot dog charged in court today that Oscar Mayer(R) hot dogs are being falsely advertised in violation of federal and state law. The suit primarily focuses on claims in a series of advertisements that expressly compares Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks with Ball Park branded franks.
The suit claims Oscar Mayer is presenting a taste superiority claim against the entire line of Ball Park branded hot dogs that is both false and misleading to consumers. Such claims contain an unclear and inconspicuous footnote in very small type that also falsely implies that more than one variety of Ball Park franks was tested, the Sara Lee Corporation pleading charged.
"This is a weak attempt by Oscar Mayer to mislead millions of consumers with false and inaccurate claims," said Chuck Hemmingway, brand director Ball Park brand. "Simply put, we believe that these untrue statements are all a bunch of bologna."
To further support Ball Park's position, according to IRI data, over the last year, the Ball Park beef hot dog line has experienced double digit growth of 14.2 % while the Oscar Mayer total beef hot dog line has experienced a volume decline of 1.1%*.
"We're the nation's beef hot dog leader. Millions of Americans have voted Ball Park with their wallets and their taste buds and we're not going to stand by and allow these consumers to be misled," added Hemmingway.