Phil Sokolof

Phil Sokolof (December 15, 1921 – April 15, 2004)

His research led him to believe that high-fat foods were the primary culprit behind cardiovascular disease. In the 1980s he founded the National Heart Savers Association.

Campaigning Sokolof's efforts regarding the McDonald's menu ended the practice of cooking their French fries in beef tallow. He waged campaigns against the use of so-called "tropical" oils, such as coconut and palm oils, which were used to manufacture many cookies and crackers. Sokolof took out ads decrying the popularity of 2% milk, arguing that it is not low-fat, and encouraged parents to only buy skim milk. In 1997, he urged Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods not to endorse McDonald's. In 2002, Sokolof purchased full-page ads, asking fellow Omaha native Warren Buffett not to purchase Burger King.

Sokolof died on April 15, 2004, of heart failure at the age of 82. The Los Angeles Times eulogized Sokolof saying, "In our big, complex bureaucratized society, there was indeed a case where one person made a difference, and where an idea had definite and beneficial consequences."