Washington, DC – Eric Mittenthal, vice president of public affairs for the North American Meat Institute 

Eric Mittenthal, president of the NHDSC

(NAMI) and the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), was named president of the NHDSC. Mittenthal will take over for Janet Riley, who will remain as the council’s “Queen of Wien.”

“It takes a true hot dog aficionado to be named president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, and Eric has shown he’s up to the task,” Riley said. “With his mastery of hot dog and sausage facts and history, etiquette and his work growing the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council’s presence in mainstream and social media, the council is in great hands.”

Mittenthal’s role will include answering common questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages and leading the NHDSC’s efforts celebrating hot dogs and sausages as the iconic American food. He has served as vice president of public affairs for the NHDSC since 2012.

Riley has served as president of the NHDSC since 1994. Riley will maintain her title as the NHDSC “Queen of Wien” and continue in her role as senior vice president of public affairs for NAMI which oversees the NHDSC.

“As someone who has always loved hot dogs and sausages, there was never any doubt working for the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council would be a perfect fit,” Mittenthal said. “But getting to know the hot dog and sausage manufacturers, restaurant owners and passionate fans around the country has been an amazing experience, and it is a great honor to represent all of them as president of the council.”

Some of the NHDSC’s activities in 2015 included settling the debate over whether a hot dog is a sandwich, unveiling a new hot dog bumper sticker, naming baseball’s best hot dog and continuing its tradition of tracking hot dog and sausage consumption at Major League ballparks. The council was highlighted on the NBC Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and the CBS Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Mittenthal also was invited to throw out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game.

“Hot dogs and sausages are such fun, all-American foods, there is no shortage of ways to promote and celebrate them,” Mittenthal said. “We’re looking forward to several new initiatives in 2016 to both inform about hot dogs and sausages and help people share their love of them.”

For more hot dog and sausage facts, figures, history and culture visit www.hot-dog.org and connect with the NHDSC on Facebook.