Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently applauded Steak ‘n Shake for its decision to replace vegetable oil with beef tallow in its french fries, a move that has sparked both enthusiasm from consumers and controversy in the health and wellness community. During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Kennedy expressed his excitement over the change, claiming that people have been “raving” about the fries ever since the switch.
Kennedy said the fries now offer “a completely different experience.” He credited the company’s decision to stop using seed oils as the catalyst for this newfound popularity. Kennedy, who is a vocal critic of seed oils and ultra-processed foods, believes that this change is an important step in addressing the epidemic of chronic diseases plaguing the United States.
Kennedy’s criticism of seed oils—such as soybean, canola, and sunflower oils—stems from his belief that these oils are a significant contributor to chronic health problems. He has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods, which often contain seed oils, to the rise of conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. During his conversation with Hannity, Kennedy made it clear that he views seed oils as one of the primary culprits behind America’s ongoing health crisis.
Kennedy has emphasized that tackling childhood chronic diseases will be one of his top priorities as HHS Secretary. However, he also made it clear that he does not support a complete ban on seed oils or processed foods. Instead, he advocates for incentivizing companies to transition away from these products and provide more transparency about what’s in the food they serve.
He mentioned that other restaurant chains, including Popeyes, Outback Steakhouse, Sweetgreen, and Buffalo Wild Wings, have either made or are in the process of making similar changes to remove seed oils from their menus. This growing trend toward using more natural ingredients in fast food is seen as a positive step toward improving public health.
“I have a libertarian outlook,” Kennedy explained. “People should be able to make their own choices. If you want to eat a donut or seed oils, you should be able to.”
In early March, Steak ‘n Shake made headlines by announcing that it would replace vegetable oil with 100% beef tallow in its fry recipe, aligning with Kennedy’s broader push for more natural ingredients in fast food. Kennedy praised the chain for making this shift and thanked Steak ‘n Shake for what he called “RFKing the French fries.”
By making this change, the fast food chain is catering to the growing demand for healthier options among consumers who are increasingly aware of the ingredients in their food.
Despite the praise, Steak ‘n Shake has faced backlash from certain health advocates, including influencers from the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. Alex Clark, a conservative health and wellness advocate, accused Steak ‘n Shake of misleading the public by continuing to use seed oils in the preparation of its fries. Clark alleged that while the company announced its switch to beef tallow, its fries were still being pre-cooked in vegetable oil before being fried in tallow.
Steak ‘n Shake responded publicly, refuting Clark’s claims, but Clark was unconvinced and demanded proof from the company, urging them to post a photo of the beef tallow used in their cooking process.
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