Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a growing number of influencers have recently criticized seed oils, sparking debate on the verity of health concerns regarding the product.

Popular Unpopular Opinion: Kayla Bartsch of National Review (Right bias) wrote that RFK “probably has a valid point” and that if the “HHS continues to scrutinize the rise of obesity in this country — including the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods — that would be a fine start.” Bartsch claimed RFK’s anti-seed oil stance is shared by “online, libertarian influencers and crunchy homestead moms” alike, and noted a lack of consensus within the scientific community, combined with the free market as the reason for seed oil-prevalence. 

New Study: A report from STAT (Center) highlighted a study published on March 6 that tracked “the dietary and mortality data of 221,054 adults over more than 30 years” and found that using seed and other vegetable oils as a substitute for butter can lower the risk of “premature death” and cancer. STAT highlighted Kennedy’s stance on seed oils, but wrote that “the consensus among nutrition experts, bolstered by this new study, is that plant oils are generally preferable to animal fats.”

‘Baffling’ Shift: A report from Associated Press (Left) noted RFK is among a large contingent of people ditching seed oils that ranges from influencers to businesses like Sweetgreen, but that the transition away from the ingredient is “baffling nutrition scientists.” AP highlighted the same study as STAT and included perspectives from experts who don’t understand why many people are against seed oils. AP reported experts suggested it’s the “ultraprocessed foods” seed oils are used to cook that are unhealthy, not the oils themselves.

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