A food additive used primarily in processed
meats to help preserve their
color when exposed to air. It is a salt of erythorbic acid whose chemical structure closely resembles that of
Vitamin C. It is produced from
sugar.
There is a rampant misconception that sodium erythrobate, an ingredient in hot dogs, is made of earthworms. This is NOT TRUE. I work at a reference desk where this is a common question. I have answered it many times using a variety of food safety books. It is a very widespread rumor, and really seems to scare everyone.
Breathe a sigh of relief -- you may eat hot dogs without fear of ingesting a single worm.