Pepto-Bismol sponsors hot dog-eating contest

CINCINNATI Procter & Gamble and Major League Eating on Monday announced that Pepto-Bismol will be the first-ever stomach remedy sponsor of the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

"We are very excited to welcome Pepto-Bismol on board as our newest sponsor," stated George Shea, MLE president and emcee of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. "Pepto-Bismol has been around for more than 100 years, and in the 95 years of the contest, many people have often asked if the competitors experience stomach upsets and whether they use Pepto-Bismol. Nearly every eater does, and so for us, this sponsorship was a natural fit."

"Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is the ultimate case in point of celebrating the summer with food, so we're excited to announce our sponsorship of the event," said Colleen Jay, VP P&G personal health care. "We wanted to show that whether you've gone a little overboard on your favorite food or eaten one too many hot dogs at your backyard BBQ this summer, turn to Pepto-Bismol."

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual event that has become part of America's Fourth of July celebration. The final event on Coney Island winds through many American cities, with regional qualifier competitions occurring at a variety of Nathan's Famous retail locations.