(The Epoch Times)—Steak ’n Shake, the national fast food restaurant famous for its steak burgers and exotic milkshakes such as Oreo Mint Cookie and Butterfinger, will remove all microwave ovens from its nearly 400 locations throughout the United States.
“We expect every unit to be microwave-free by April 15,” a Steak ’n Shake spokesperson said in a Feb. 12 post on X.
“Quality restaurants don’t need microwaves. It is part of our journey to improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.”
The action comes on the heels of the Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. Kennedy has publicly raised concerns about the potential harmful effects of microwaved food and food containing additives and dyes.
While some believe constant microwave usage could pose a health hazard, in its Feb. 9 newsletter, OncoDaily claimed that recent viral posts about microwaved food emitting cancer-causing radiation are “perpetuating unnecessary alarm.”
OncoDaily, a leading U.S. oncology platform providing research and data on cancer, stated there is no evidence of cancer from standard usage of microwaves.
“Microwaves harness safe non-ionizing radiation, low-energy waves that vibrate water molecules to generate heat without damaging DNA,” the newsletter stated. It also noted that health agencies, including the FDA and WHO, enforce strict safety standards for microwave oven design.
However, the American Osteopathic Association noted that while microwave ovens are generally safe, using the wrong container to heat food can pose a hazard.
“When certain types of plastic are heated in the microwave, the substances and chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic can leak into your food,” Rob Danoff, an osteopathic family physician, noted on the organization’s website.
“This plastic residual can raise health concerns when ingested, especially in infants and pregnant women.”
Danoff noted that fatty foods, such as meats and cheeses, reach high temperatures and can cause the plastic to warp or melt. This has the potential to cause a chemical seep into the food.
He added that it’s important to check the container’s label before heating food in it.
“Every plastic container intended for use with food has to undergo stringent testing performed by the FDA,” he said.
“You’ll see either a microwave-safe symbol or written instructions indicating the plastic product is microwave-safe.”
In addition to its new policy on microwaves, Steak ’n Shake has also been working to remove seed oils from its restaurants and switch to using butter.
On its website, the eatery states that its fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders are cooked in 100 percent beef tallow, with no additives or preservatives.
The chain is now also offering cane sugar Coke to customers who prefer natural sweeteners over those containing high-fructose corn syrup.
“We believe in giving our guests the freedom to choose among alternatives whenever possible,” the website states.
Steak ’n Shake currently operates in 23 states and 292 cities. Florida offers 79 restaurants, Illinois 56, and Indiana 52. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Steak ’n Shake operates 14 restaurants there.
