Joey Chestnut banned from Hot Dog Eating Contest

(New York, NY) — Joey Chestnut is reportedly being banned from the annual July 4th Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The New York Post reports the 16-time winner of the contest won’t be allowed to participate in this year’s event because of deal he signed with vegan food brand Impossible Foods. Major League Eating told the post that it’s “devastated” Chestnut has to represent a rival brand and that it hopes to have him return once he is no longer representing Impossible Foods. Chestnut won last year’s by downing 62 hot dogs at the Coney Island event. He set a world record in 2021 when he ate 76 hot dogs.

(Photo Credit @eatingcontest)