RFK Jr declares ‘war on protein is over’ and ‘beef is back’ at Nashville conference
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In a speech to thousands of cattle ranchers in Nashville this week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that the “war on protein is over.”
Speaking in a “fireside chat” with Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Kennedy said “beef is back on the menu.”
The two discussed “the importance of meat protein,” HHS reported.
It was the farmers whom Kennedy praised for being “essential partners in developing the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans and re-establishing a food pyramid based on true nutrition.”
More than 9,400 exhibitors, including farmers as well as industry professionals, attended the trade fair.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, spoke to cattle farmers in Nashville about protein, beef and federal nutritional guidance. (via @HHSGov X)
The secretary thanked America’s cattle ranchers “for producing real, nutrient-dense food, protecting our lands, and sustaining rural communities,” according to the statement.
Wehrbein said the cattlemen and women in the room admired Kennedy for “ensuring that beef remains at the center of the plate for the nation’s consumers.”
The speech came a day after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomed Kennedy to the Volunteer State.
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The two discussed recent state actions to advance the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, including banning Red 40 from school lunches and restricting the purchase of sugary and sugary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
According to organizers, more than 9,400 participants from the cattle and beef industry attended the event. (via @HHSGov X)
“During the presidency [Donald] “Under Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, Tennessee is paving the way to create innovative, responsible solutions that strengthen families and improve health outcomes,” Lee said, according to the HHS statement.
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“I am grateful for this administration’s commitment to asking tough questions and challenging the status quo so every Tennessean can live healthier lives.”
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Fox News Digital reached out to NCBA. HHS declined to comment further.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including red meat. (iStock)
2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming a “diverse variety of foods” protein foods “derived from animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood and red meat.”
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The guidelines also recommend getting protein from certain plant-based foods, “including beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy.”
A cattle rancher rounds up black Angus cattle in McCook, Nebraska. (Ricky Carioti/Washington Post/Getty Images)
The report recommends avoiding consuming too much saturated fat and limiting it to 10% of total daily calories. A doctor previously told Fox News Digital that it’s important to balance protein sources.
Cardiologist Dr. of Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey. Working with poultry, fish and plant proteins “helps reduce saturated fat intake, supports healthy cholesterol levels, and still provides flexibility and enjoyment in daily eating,” says Craig Basman.
