RFK victory: Major fast food chain becomes first to stop using seed oils

CV NEWS FEED // Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. congratulated Steak ‘n Shake Thursday for becoming the first major fast food chain in the U.S. to begin replacing seed oils with beef tallow in all its restaurants.

Steak ‘n Shake announced on X that by March 1, all locations “will be RFK’d,” using 100% beef tallow to fry their food. 

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

“Congratulations to @SteaknShake for being the first national fast-food chain to begin the transition away from seed oils,” Kennedy wrote on X. “Thanks for leadership in the crusade to Make America Healthy Again.” 

The fast food giant first revealed its plan to eliminate seed oils in January. On Monday, it reported that locations in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma had already made the shift. 

Kennedy, recently appointed to lead the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, has been a vocal critic of the American food system, particularly the widespread use of seed oils.

“Fast Food is part of American culture. But that doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy, and that we can’t make better choices,” Kennedy wrote on X in October 2024. 

He pointed out that McDonald’s fried its fries in beef tallow from 1940 to 1990 before switching to seed oils, a shift he says has contributed to the nation’s rising obesity rates. 

Fast Food is a part of American culture. But that doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy, and that we can’t make better choices. Did you know that McDonald’s used to use beef tallow to make their fries from 1940 until phasing it out in favor of seed oils in 1990? This switch was… pic.twitter.com/ygijMtsSQt

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) October 21, 2024

“People who enjoy a burger with fries on a night out aren’t to blame,” Kennedy added. “Americans should have every right to eat out at a restaurant without being unknowingly poisoned by heavily subsidized seed oils.” 

The MAHA Commission, established by a Feb. 13 executive order from President Donald Trump, is tasked with studying the American diet and food production techniques to identify factors contributing to chronic disease and health complications. 

“I don’t want to take food away from anybody,” Kennedy said during his Senate hearing last month. “But you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.”