Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commended fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake for transitioning away from seed oils in the effort to “Make America Healthy Again.”
“Congratulations @SteaknShake for being the first national fast-food chain to begin the transition away from seed oils,” RFK Jr. wrote in a now-deleted X post, according to POLITICO.
“Thanks for leadership in the crusade to Make America Healthy Again,” he added.
The fast-food chain is switching from vegetable oil to beef tallow to cook its fries nationwide.
WATCH:
STEAK 'N SHAKE COO: "We RFK'ed our fries … They're so much better. The same fry cooked in beef tallow is crispier, it's golden brown, it's absolutely delicious, and you're gonna love them when you try them. You're not gonna ever go back to the old way of doing fries." pic.twitter.com/h34DJ5fZ3f
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 27, 2025
“Thank you Secretary Kennedy!” Steak ‘n Shake replied.
Thank you Secretary Kennedy! https://t.co/qdCiJy1ofV
— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) February 27, 2025
“Tallow Fries now in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma. By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d!” it previously announced.
Tallow Fries now in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma
By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d! pic.twitter.com/m3pVaulppW
— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) February 25, 2025
From POLITICO:
Kennedy has long crusaded for remaking the American food system, embracing scientifically dubious theories about seed oils, which are often used in cooking and frying foods.
“Fries will be RFK’d!,” the fast-food chain wrote, referring to the Kennedy-backed “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
🇺🇸 STEAK 'N SHAKE GETS RFK’D: FIRST FAST-FOOD CHAIN TO DITCH SEED OILS
Steak 'n Shake just became the first national fast-food chain to transition away from seed oils, swapping fries for beef tallow-cooked goodness.
The shift has already started in Ohio, Colorado, Florida,… https://t.co/oGGvzb7vAE pic.twitter.com/beF6umKl1t
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 28, 2025
BREAKING: Steak N Shake announces that this Saturday, all locations will be cooking their fries in 100% beef tallow.
RFK Jr. “Congratulations Steak N Shake for being the first national fast-food chain to begin the transition away from seed oils.” pic.twitter.com/JdhTzEHv4q
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 27, 2025
Daily Mail reports:
RFK Jr. has been pushing the country to move away from vegetable oil for frying, claiming that Americans are ‘being unknowingly poisoned by heavily subsidized seed oils.’
Kennedy was confirmed as HHS secretary on February 13 in a 52-48 vote by the US Senate after a hotly debated hearing focused on the 71-year-old’s controversial opinions – including his views on vaccines and processed foods.
So, why the switch to beef tallow? According to some experts, it may be much healthier than cooking with other liquid oils and fats.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic note that, just like butter and coconut oil, beef tallow is mostly made up of saturated fat.
Conversely, liquid fats such as olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil generally consist of unsaturated fats.
‘While saturated fats have been demonized in the past eating certain kinds or small amounts might not be as harmful as previously thought,’ researchers said.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Mayo Clinic added that some of tallow’s saturated fat is known as stearic acid, which doesn’t appear to raise cholesterol levels in the same way that other saturated fats do.
Moreover, beef tallow contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which studies suggest may actually provide heart-healthy benefits.
