The Problem With Ghee Trending on TikTok

Sudha Raj, teaching professor and director of the graduate program in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies in Falk College, was interviewed for the NBC News story “Influencers are eating ghee by the spoonful. Brands are responding with whitewashed versions.” The article highlights how the clarified butter that originated in South Asia is now trending on social media and being capitalized for its ability to clear skin and increase weight loss, causing South Asian-owned businesses to suffer, as well as having possible health implications if eaten in excess. Raj states, “Today, if you tell people ghee is an excellent fat, you have to indicate to them that ghee should not be consumed in copious amounts,” referring to social media influencers encouraging their followers to eat spoonfuls of ghee every day.