In a recent White House press release, In-N-Out Burger was praised for aligning with President Trump’s health initiative, “Make America Healthy Again,” specifically for allegedly switching to beef tallow for cooking its French fries. But this claim was quickly debunked.
Contrary to the White House’s statement, the California-based burger chain still uses sunflower oil for its fries, as confirmed by the company’s customer service team.
In a follow-up comment, In-N-Out’s Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick clarified, “Information was published in error stating that In-N-Out Burger has transitioned to beef tallow for cooking French fries. We are working on upgrading our current sunflower oil but have not yet made any changes.”
The mix-up appears to have originated from an April 1 post on X (formerly Twitter), where an In-N-Out fan account jokingly announced the switch to 100% beef tallow. The post, which quickly went viral, was later retracted with the user admitting it was an April Fool’s joke.
With over 400 locations, In-N-Out remains a favorite among fast-food lovers, though its family-owned status and political donations have sparked controversy in more liberal circles.
Recently, the company made headlines for removing artificial dyes from two of its beverages and switching to a real-sugar ketchup. In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder also shared on Facebook that the company is researching higher-quality oils for its fries but did not mention beef tallow.
Health experts have long favored vegetable oils over animal fats, citing extensive research into their benefits.
However, controversial figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have defended beef tallow, while some Bay Area eateries have embraced it.
Despite the debate, chains like Steak ‘n Shake have announced the shift from seed oils to beef tallow for cooking fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders.
While the beef tallow trend continues to gain traction, In-N-Out’s current focus remains on improving its sunflower oil, keeping health-conscious consumers and fans waiting for a possible change in the future.
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