Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told thousands of cattle ranchers in Nashville that federal health policy is shifting back toward real, protein-based nutrition, declaring the “war on protein” is over and that beef is once again “back on the menu.”

Kennedy delivered the remarks during a fireside chat with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein at a major cattle industry trade show that drew more than 9,400 attendees from across the country.

During the discussion, Kennedy emphasized the importance of meat-based protein in a healthy diet and praised ranchers for their role in providing nutrient-dense food to American families. According to a Department of Health and Human Services release, Kennedy described cattle producers as “essential partners” in advancing updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans and restoring what he called a food pyramid grounded in “real nutrition.”

Kennedy also thanked America’s cattle ranchers for producing high-quality protein, caring for the land, and sustaining rural communities, crediting the industry with supporting both public health and the agricultural economy.

Wehrbein said the audience responded positively to Kennedy’s message, noting that cattlemen and women welcomed his commitment to keeping beef central to the American diet. He said ranchers appreciated hearing a federal health official affirm the role of beef rather than sidelining it in favor of ideological food policies.

Kennedy’s appearance in Nashville followed a meeting one day earlier with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who welcomed the HHS secretary to the state. The two discussed recent Tennessee initiatives aligned with the Make America Healthy Again agenda, including banning the artificial dye Red 40 from school meals and limiting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase candy and sugary drinks.

Gov. Lee praised the administration’s approach, saying Tennessee is working with federal leadership to pursue responsible health reforms that strengthen families and improve long-term outcomes. He credited President Donald Trump and Kennedy with challenging entrenched assumptions and pushing for practical solutions rooted in nutrition and personal responsibility.

The event also highlighted the federal government’s current dietary guidance. The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming a variety of protein sources, including animal-based options such as eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat. The guidelines also recognize plant-based protein sources, including beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy.