Many food companies are now making the shift away from seed oils as the “Make America Healthy Again” movement gains traction, labeling these ingredients as unhealthy.
Real Good Foods, a producer of better-for-you frozen meals, recently announced plans to transition its entire product line away from seed oils to beef tallow. They have already introduced a new line of seed oil-free breaded chicken and will be converting the rest of their products.
Rikki Ingram, Chief Marketing Officer at Real Good Foods, stated in an interview with Food Dive, “The no seed oil movement has been gaining momentum in the food and health and wellness industry, dominating online conversations. We have been hearing about this for years, and we felt it was time to take action.”
While larger chains like Steak N’ Shake and Sweetgreen have been recognized for phasing out seed oils, smaller companies like Real Good Foods are also following suit.
Seed oils, derived from plants like canola, sunflower, or soybean seeds, are commonly used in processed and fried foods. These oils have come under scrutiny as consumers and regulators focus on reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized seed oils, calling them “one of the most unhealthy ingredients in foods.” Critics argue that these oils can break down during cooking, leading to compounds that cause inflammation and weaken the immune system.
Despite nutritionists debunking the idea that seed oils are unhealthy, companies are still embracing the seed oil-free trend.
Several brands have received certification from the Seed Oil Free Alliance, allowing them to market their products as seed-oil free. Saffron Road, a frozen meal brand, announced plans to eliminate seed oils in core recipes as part of a larger overhaul to include more protein and other consumer-healthy ingredients.
Sales of certified seed oil-free products have seen a significant increase, with data showing a 216% average sales growth in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year.
Real Good Foods’ shift away from seed oils was driven by consumer demand rather than the larger MAHA movement. The reception to their new products has been positive.
The decision to use beef tallow was based on taste and cost compared to olive oil, another source of healthier monounsaturated fats. Sweetgreen faced challenges with their ripple fries made with olive oil, ultimately discontinuing them due to mixed reviews and complexity in production.
Expanding the use of beef tallow in the U.S. may be challenging due to a cattle shortage impacting supply. Real Good Foods’ transition has affected their supply chain and manufacturing process.
Due to the complexity of the changes, Real Good Foods has not provided a timeline for the complete shift away from seed oils.
Ingram emphasized, “We are taking the necessary time and care to do this right and align with what our consumers want.”