What’s The Origin Of The Red Hot Dog?

According to News Center Maine's Bill Green, the red snapper hot dogs that everyone seems to fall in love with are now being produced by Bangor's W. A.Bean and Son.

Apparently, the spice recipe that gives the dogs their unique flavor, was developed by a German POW.  The man had been a submariner during World War 2.  At the end of the war, he was captured and taken to NYC.  According to Fred Rice, whose family originally made the dogs, his great grandfather had heard some of the prisoners were sausage makers.  He made the trip to New York and, after interviewing several prisoners, hired the sailor to make an authentic German sausage to Maine.

What about the color?  Are the casings really red?  Not until after they've been dyed.