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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that the “war on protein is over” during his address to thousands of cattle ranchers in Nashville this week. 

Speaking in a “fireside chat” with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president Buck Wehrbein, Kennedy said “beef is back on the menu.”

The two discussed “the importance of meat protein,” according to an HHS news release about the Thursday event.

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It was the ranchers who Kennedy commended for being “essential partners in advancing the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans and restoring a food pyramid grounded in real nutrition.”

The trade show attracted over 9,400 attendees, which included industry professionals as well as ranchers.

RFK speaks on stage in Nashville

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke to cattle ranchers in Nashville about protein, beef and federal dietary guidance. (@HHSGov via X)

The secretary thanked America’s cattle ranchers “for producing real, nutrient-dense food, stewarding our land and sustaining rural communities,” per the release.

Wehrbein said the cattlemen and women in the room appreciated Kennedy for “making certain that beef remains at the center of the plate for the nation’s consumers.”

The speech came one day after Tennessee Gov. 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 meals and restricting the purchase of candy and sugary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

RFK next to new food pyramid

The event drew more than 9,400 attendees from across the cattle and beef industry, according to organizers. (@HHSGov via X)

“Under President [Donald] Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, Tennessee is leading the way to create innovative, responsible solutions that strengthen families and improve health outcomes,” said Lee, according to the HHS statement.

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“I’m grateful for this administration’s commitment to asking hard questions and challenging the status quo so that every Tennessean can live a healthier life.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the NCBA. The HHS declined to provide additional comment.

Raw fresh minced beef

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including red meat. (iStock)

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming “a variety of protein foods 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 rancher in Nebraska rounds up cattle ahead of an auction

A rancher rounds up Black Angus cattle in McCook, Nebraska. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

The report advises avoiding too much saturated fat consumption, limiting it to 10% of total daily calories — and a doctor previously told Fox News Digital that balancing protein sources is essential.

Working in poultry, fish and plant proteins “helps lower saturated fat intake, supports healthy cholesterol levels and still allows flexibility and enjoyment in everyday eating,” said Dr. Craig Basman, a cardiologist at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey.