Revolutionizing Fast Food: The RFKing of French Fries

Fast food, often perceived as the nemesis of healthy eating, is currently undergoing a significant transformation, and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at the forefront of this change. Kennedy, in his recent visit to the renowned fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake, applauded the company’s shift from seed oils to beef tallow, a rendered fat, for cooking its french fries. This move has created a buzz and the term “RFKing the french fries” has emerged, turning Kennedy into a verb in the food industry.

Coined by Kennedy himself, the term mirrors his efforts to make America healthier. This visit was more than a courtesy call; it was an endeavor to emphasize the importance of transparency in the food industry. Kennedy’s journey, accompanied by Fox News Host Sean Hannity, comes in the wake of Steak ‘n Shake’s announcement that it has switched to cooking its iconic shoestring fries in beef tallow.

The nearly century-old joint is the only burger chain in the United States to switch from vegetable oil to beef tallow. As a result, Steak ‘n Shake is now offering what they believe are the best fries possible. Kristen Briede, the chief global development officer for the company, believes that consumers deserve the best, and by adopting 100% beef tallow, they are delivering on this promise.

Recognizing this pivotal shift, Kennedy has expressed his appreciation and called on other companies to follow suit. He asserted that the Trump administration is committed to “radical” transparency and wants to incentivize other companies to make the switch to more traditional and natural ingredients. Kennedy’s approach resonates with his belief that consumers should be able to make informed choices about their food.

The HHS Secretary sees this move as one step towards tackling the growing obesity epidemic in the United States, where almost 40% of the adult population is obese. He emphasized the need to change our dietary habits to ensure longer and healthier lives.

Addressing this issue goes beyond just switching cooking ingredients. Kennedy has highlighted the impact of diet on mental health, citing studies from Stanford and Harvard that show a link between food and mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression. This underscores his belief that “food is medicine,” and by changing our diet, we can alter our health outcomes.

However, the task is monumental. Our current generation is the first in 200 years predicted to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. This alarming prediction reflects the urgent need for changes in our dietary habits. Furthermore, it’s not just a moral issue; skyrocketing healthcare costs are threatening to sink the economy. The only solution, according to Kennedy, is to change what we eat.

RFKing the food industry is just the start. The goal is to inspire a wave of change across the entire food industry to promote transparency, healthier alternatives, and informed consumer choices. While it remains to be seen how many companies will join this initiative, the RFKing of the french fries at Steak ‘n Shake has set the ball rolling for a healthier America.