Is food cultural and can it be racist?

There's a lively debate going on in Hawaii about proposed legislation that would ban the slaughter or cats and dogs for human consumption. (Apparently consumption for other animals is probably still OK.) Some in the local Asian community are outraged, saying this is racist and against their culture. My own belief is that sure, food is cultural and what is normal for one group is disgusting for another. I grew up eating oysters and soft shell crabs, food which outsiders often find revolting. Here in France, no one thinks twice about eating snails and buying horse meat, while not that common, is still a special meal. (I think it's pretty tasty.) In Peru I ate guinea pig (boney and chewy) and in Africa I tried mopani worms. In many places around the world, eating sea urchin (actually, their sexual organs) is a delicacy so what's all the fuss about?

Don't count me in anytime soon for a plate of dinner dog, but what's the big deal? Why is slaughtering a cow, pig, lamb, or chicken any different than slaughtering a dog or cat?