Beef Tallow Gains Popularity as Seed Oil Alternative, Experts Advise Caution

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and social media influencers promote beef tallow, but nutritionists and dermatologists warn against overuse due to potential health risks.

Beef tallow, a rendered animal fat, is being promoted as a healthier alternative to seed oils for cooking and skincare by influencers and public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Steak 'n Shake recently switched to cooking french fries in beef tallow, a move praised by Kennedy during a publicized visit to the restaurant chain.
Experts highlight beef tallow's stability at high heat and its content of fat-soluble vitamins but caution against its high saturated fat levels, which are linked to heart disease and other health risks.
Seed oils, often criticized by tallow advocates, are generally considered healthier by nutritionists due to their unsaturated fats and positive cardiovascular health outcomes.
Dermatologists warn that while beef tallow may help with dry skin, it could also cause acne and is not definitively proven to offer significant skincare benefits.