Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, asserted on Monday that since Steak ‘n Shake ceased utilizing seed oils in its recipe, customers have been “raving” about the fast food chain’s french fries.
In an interview with Fox News anchor Sean Hannity from one of the chain’s Florida locations, Kennedy stated, “Steak ‘n Shake just switched out, and people are raving about these french fries.”
The HHS secretary said of the fries, which the company now produces using cow tallow rather than vegetable oil, “It’s a completely different experience.”
He went on, “The customers are raving about it.” “I’ve loved steak and shake. They RFKed the french fries, and for that, we are thankful.
Kennedy stated that he thinks seed oils may be a major contributing factor to the “epidemic” of chronic illness in the United States. At the same time, he munched on fries and a double cheeseburger.
He claimed that “all the science shows that ultra-processed foods are the principal culprit in this extraordinary explosion — the epidemic we have of chronic disease,” and that “seed oil is one of the components of processed foods.”
During President Trump’s second term, the HHS secretary has stated that one of his key priorities will be to halt the “childhood chronic disease epidemic.”
Kennedy expressed worries about processed foods and seed oils, but he stated that he would not advocate for a complete ban on them, preferring to “incentivize” businesses to move away from seed oils, like Steak ‘n Shake did on March 1.
“My perspective is libertarian,” RFK Jr. said to Hannity. “People ought to have the freedom to choose for themselves. You should be able to consume seed oils or donuts if you so choose.
“You ought to be capable of making well-informed decisions,” he continued. “You ought to be aware of the nature of that product, the ingredients in your meal, and the potential health risks. That is our only course of action.
Kennedy stated that President Trump wants to “incentivize companies like [Steak ‘n Shake] to switch to traditional ingredients, like beef tallow, and to have radical transparency.”
“We will tell Americans what has been causing their illnesses.”
RFK Jr. indicated that several restaurant companies have either just moved away from seed oils or are in the process of doing so, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Popeyes, Outback Steakhouse, and Sweetgreen.
“We want to take every possible step to encourage these companies to be open, to move away from highly processed foods, and to join this effort to improve the health of Americans,” he stated.
