A medical collective based in Georgia, known as the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine, has targeted the fans of Macon Bacon, a college summer league baseball team, with a billboard.
Group Wants Macon Bacon To Push Fake Bacon Instead
The billboard, situated on Interstate 16, calls on the team’s supporters to “keep bacon off your plate.” In addition, the group expressed their concerns in a letter to the team president, Brandon Raphael, accusing the team of promoting meat consumption excessively.
“Macon Bacon’s glorification of bacon, a processed meat that raises the risk of colorectal cancer and other diseases, sends the wrong message to fans,” the letter from nutrition education program manager Anna Herby, DHSc, RD, CDCES, to Raphael read. “I urge you to update the team’s name to Macon Facon Bacon and promote plant-based bacon alternatives, such as Facon Bacon or Mushroom Bacon, that will help your fans stay healthy. As for Kevin, Macon Bacon’s mascot, he can reveal that he is actually plant-based bacon.”
The Letter
The letter presented data illustrating that the intake of processed meat boosts the probability of developing colorectal cancer.
Even consuming a few bacon slices per week could elevate the likelihood of a colorectal cancer diagnosis by 18%. Furthermore, the letter delved into additional cancer risks potentially associated with bacon consumption.
“To help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease in your community, you should encourage fans to consume delicious, healthful plant-based foods instead of menu items like 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon, Bacon Wrapped Bacon, Steak Cut Bacon, Bacon Cheeseburger, Bacon Dog, Bacon Loaded Cheese Fries, Bacon Loaded Mac N Cheese, and Bacon Chips,” the letter read, encouraging fans to “set a good example for fans and stop promoting bacon.”
Macon Bacon Stands Firm With Their Name “Won’t Change”
In response to the letter, Raphael issued a statement that was communicated to WGXA-TV.
“While we are disappointed in the disapproval of our branding from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the Macon Bacon does not view ourselves as a glorification of an unhealthy lifestyle; rather, we pride ourselves on being a fun-natured organization focused on bringing families and communities together of Middle Georgia and beyond,” Raphael said.
“We take great pride in the Macon Bacon naming rights (which our fans named), as we get to witness the smiles and laughter from our fan base – who have supported our branding since our inception — that stems from the brand’s lighthearted and playful nature. We are a family-friendly organization and we are extremely grateful for our fans.
“While we certainly offer bacon-based options on our concessions menu, our organization has developed a menu that is full of other dining variations to ensure that our fans have choices as to what they consume while enjoying their time at the ballpark, which includes a plant-based option. That was obviously not mentioned in the group’s complaint.
“With that, the Macon Bacon will be sizzling forever and will not consider a name change. Ever.”
Established in 2017, the Macon Bacon is a participant in the Coastal Plain League. The team’s moniker was selected through fan voting, prevailing over alternatives such as the Macon Soul, Macon Hits, Macon Heat, and Macon Noise.
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