Joey Chestnut Banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Due to Impossible Foods Partnership

Competitive eater Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut will not be able to defend his title in this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on 4 July, as he has been banned from taking part due to his partnership with plant-based food producer Impossible Foods. Chestnut, who has won the contest 16 times, responded to the news on Instagram, writing: 'I was very disappointed to learn from the media today that after nearly 20 years I am banned from the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.' Major League Eating (MLE) offered to allow Chestnut to compete in unbranded events and said it would be willing to invite him back to future events if he renounced his deal with Impossible Foods. Netflix has announced that Chestnut will face off against his old rival and former champion Takeru Kobayashi on Labour Day in a special called Chestnut vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.