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New No-Fat Franks Fail Test

Rick Bonino Food Editor

A couple of years ago, we fed Ball Park fat-free pork-and-turkey hot dogs to The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel, with rather unpleasant results.

So when we spotted Ball Park’s new all-turkey fat-free franks in the supermarket, we decided to see if they were an improvement.

They weren’t. Panelists came up with such adjectives as “slimy,” “spongy” and “gelatinous.” And those were among the kinder comments.

(Actually, I didn’t think they were that bad. Then again, I never eat hot dogs - and, according to the panel, I still haven’t.)

Ball Park Fat Free Smoked White Turkey Franks

Price: $2.49 for 14 ounces (8 franks).

Nutrition: 40 calories (no fat); 530 milligrams sodium per frank.

Taste: *

Value: *

Comments: “Extremely unappetizing color, texture, appearance, taste, etc. Barely edible only when smothered with mustard.” - Helen Span

“Weird texture and flavor. Tastes like a salty rubber band.” - Jan Robison

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.