U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that McDonald’s should be incentivized to use beef tallow in its Big Mac burgers. Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Kennedy argued that returning to traditional cooking fats could improve public health and food quality.
Beef tallow, once a staple in McDonald’s fryers, was phased out in the 1990s due to health concerns over saturated fats. However, Kennedy contends that natural animal fats are healthier than the heavily processed seed oils widely used today. He believes government incentives could encourage fast-food chains to shift away from industrial oils, which some studies link to inflammation and chronic diseases.
McDonald’s, known for its iconic Big Macs and fries, has yet to respond to Kennedy’s remarks. The company switched to vegetable oil decades ago in response to public pressure and changing dietary guidelines. However, a growing number of health advocates argue that seed oils contribute to obesity and metabolic disorders.
Kennedy’s stance aligns with a broader push to reevaluate modern dietary recommendations. Whether McDonald’s or other fast-food giants will consider such a shift remains uncertain, but his comments have reignited debate over the role of fats in American diets.
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