A tiny paragraph in the bill reads: 'A 'hot dog' means a whole, cured, cooked sausage that is skinless or stuffed in a casing, may be served on a bun or roll.'

The law goes on to clear up any confusion surrounding the naming of the popular snack, adding that hot dogs are also know as bologna, frank, frankfurter, garlic bologna, knockwurst, red hot, Vienna or wiener.

It is thought that the definition is needed to distinguish between pre cooked 'hot dogs' and un-cooked meat sausages.