RFK Pushes For Beef Tallow to Replace Cooking Oils

There's been a long debate over what the best cooking oil to use is - butter is bad for you, vegetable oil is too processed, olive oil has too many calories, coconut oil is fattening.

The truth is - anything is excess can be bad for you, but there are some foods that are inherently bad. These can include foods made with dyes and anything ultra-processed.

Since President Trump was elected for a second time, US Health and Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been on a mission to "make America healthy again". Of course a play on Trump's MAGA saying.

RFK has already banned red dye no. 3, with his eye on other artificial dyes, and now his next target is seed oils.

What's So Bad About Seed Oils?

Before the 20th century, animals fats such as beef tallow, pig lard, and butter were the main cooking fats in the U.S. However, in the early 20th century, research emerged about the adverse health affects caused by cooking fats, like cardiovascular disease.

As a result, seed oils were promoted as a healthier alternative. Previously, seed and vegetable oil had been used for things like machinery fuel, candles, and soap.

But what are seed oils?

Seed oils are a type of polyunsaturated fat, which are considered dietary or "healthy" fat. These fats are extracted from seeds of different plants. For example, canola oil is made from seeds of canola, and similarily, soybean oil is extracted from soybean plant seeds.

Dr. Eric Decker, a professor of food science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explains that you make seed oil by crushing the seeds twice under high heat and pressure, then expose them to hexane - a liquid hydrocarbon and solvent. After several more processes like washing the oil with citric acid, bleaching to make the color consistent, and deodorization, the seed oils are ready to be cooked.

While some critics contend the refinement process of seed oils makes them unhealthy, Dr. Decker says the chemicals used "are very benign".

However, RFK argued in an interview that, "seed oil is one of the components of processed foods, and all the science indicates that ultraprocessed foods are the principal culprit in this extraordinary explosion, the epidemic we have of chronic disease."

So, What is Beef Tallow?

RFK is promoting the use of beef tallow instead of seed oil, and even has hats for sale on his campaign website that read "make frying oil tallow again."

But what exactly is it?

Beef tallow is the fat separated from the fat trimmings and leftovers from butchered cows. This can also include their organs. The majority of beef tallow is saturated fat, with about 6g per 1 tbsp.

It can be made at a rendering plant or even at home by cooking the fat trimmings in the oven at around 180-200 degrees F for a few hours. This helps separate the fat from protein, water, and other fluid. Then you pour the contents through a cheesecloth before storing.

At a plant, the process is similar, however the fat may need cleaned if there's too many fatty free acids. The beef tallow also needs neutralization, just like seed oils, which is a chemical refinement process using an alkaline solution, like baking soda. Then, it's ready to be cooked.

Steak and Shake is already planning on switching to beef tallow to fry their fries in. RFK says he wants to "incentivize" other companies to make the switch too.

Is Beef Tallow Good For You?

While animal fats have generally been deemed unhealthy, beef tallow may not be as bad as researchers thought.

Although beef tallow is made primarily of saturated fat, it's a specific type called stearic acid. Studies show stearic acid does not raise cholesterol the same as other unhealthy fats.

Beef tallow is also shown to contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which are said to be healthier. One of the polyunsaturated omega-6 fat is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been positively associated with preventing plaque buildup in the arteries.

Additionally, beef tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal bodily functions, such as immune support, healthy bones, cellular function, and skin health.

Is Beef Tallow Good For Skin?

Believe it or not, beef tallow may not only provide benefits to the inside of our bodies, but the outside as well. You might not think your dermatologist would tell you to rub beef fat on your face, but it might just be your new moisturizer.

Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, FL says, "Tallow is a natural substance, and because it contains ultra-hydrating lipids, it easily absorbs into the skin while creating a strong barrier to protect the outer layer of the skin."

It can also be beneficial because beef tallow contains fatty acids that your skin already naturally has. Beef tallow contains vitamin A and E, which could help with skin regeneration and irritation, and scarring.

But it might not be beneficial for everyone.

If you have acne-prone or oily skin, you might want to avoid beef tallow since it can clog your pores. Also, anyone with animal protein allergies should be wary. Lastly, if you don't want your face to smell like meat, it might not be for you.