With the Fourth of July coming up, there’s almost certain to be a hidden and dangerous threat lurking in your refrigerator or freezer. I’m talking, of course, about hot dogs. A new poll this week, commissioned by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), looked at Americans’ attitudes toward hot dogs. More than half the respondents reported eating hot dogs at least once a month, it showed, while nearly 90% were unaware of the specific health problems associated with the food, such as a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. People, particularly kids, should try to limit their consumption of hot dogs and other highly processed meats, doctors with the Physicians Committee say. “Because children’s bodies and eating habits are still developing, early and frequent exposure to red and processed meats—like hot dogs—can cause lasting harm,” said Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietician and the nutrition educator for the Physicians Committee, in a statement from the group. Why are hot dogs bad? Hot dogs are a prime example of processed meat, or meat that’s been preserved and treated through various methods like smoking, curing, or salting. And sadly, research has consistently linked the regular consumption of these foods to a higher risk of many health issues.