Oscar Mayer Wienermobile falls victim to catalytic converter theft
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was the latest vehicle to be targeted by thieves in search of catalytic converters while parked at a Las Vegas hotel. (Courtesy: KVVU)
Days after reports surfaced of a catalytic converter theft involving an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in Las Vegas, PETA has offered to pay for the replacement part and maintenance for one year if the company converts the vehicle to a vegan hot dog mobile.
President Ingrid Newkirk made the offer to Carlos Abrams-Rivera, Executive Vice President and President of The Kraft Heinz Company - North America Zone, in a letter sent Thursday. Newkirk suggested the Wienermobile become a NotDogmobile or "something similar" since the company is reportedly working to develop vegan hot dogs.
She noted that her recommendation comes at a time when demand for vegan hot dogs is rising, adding that the global market for plant-based hot dogs grew by 20% last year and is projected to reach a market value of $1.99 billion by 2032.
"Since Americans’ appetite for cruelty-free foods is only growing, we hope you’ll relish this opportunity to ketchup with the trend by having at least one veggie dog mobile," Newkirk wrote.
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The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is 27 feet long. (KVVU)
In her letter, Newkirk included the potential health risks associated with eating hot dogs, citing a World Health Organization report that found eating processed meat can cause cancer. The WHO also said eating processed meat has the same cancer risk as smoking tobacco.
"Instead of slinging cancer-causing processed meat made from cows’ livers and pigs’ snouts, the Oscar Mayer NotDogMobile would dish up the delicious veggie dogs that today’s diners want," Newkirk said. "PETA would relish the opportunity to help Oscar Mayer ketchup with the booming vegan food market."
According to Newkirk, 79% of Gen Zers don't eat meat at least one day a week, while 65% want to follow a more plant-based diet overall.
Packages of Oscar Mayer Classic wieners are displayed at Scotty's Market on April 21, 2014, in San Rafael, California. ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Newkirk stated another "excellent reason" to consider at least one veggie dog mobile is that more animals' lives would be spared by promoting "tasty vegan dogs," which would result in the company winning a spot in "all compassionate hearts."
"Pigs, cows, and other animals commonly used for hot dogs are intelligent, sensitive individuals who feel pain and form strong bonds with others," Newkirk wrote while advocating for her recommendation.
Volunteers serve vegan hot dogs at the PETA Congressional Veggie Dog Lunch outside the Longworth House Office Building July 21, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
She concluded her letter by stating the ultimate goal is for everyone to understand they now have various food options if they want to pursue a vegan diet – whether it be for ethical, environmental, health, religious or other reasons.
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A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz sent the following statement to Fox News Digital regarding Newkirk's offer:
"We received the letter, and respectfully declined their offer as our Wienermobile is all fixed up and back on the road. Giving people a variety of high-quality, delicious food options is important to us, and we have long offered many plant-based options. We recently announced new plant-based Philadelphia cream cheese. We’re also excited to expand our plant-based offering via our joint venture with NotCo and have already announced Kraft NotCo plant-based cheese slices, as well as mayo. Later this year we’ll have even more plant-based options to reveal. It’s all part of our mission to lead the future of food and to make life delicious for everybody."
