Butter substitutes

Butter substitutes are products intended to be similar to butter in appearance and properties, but which differ in composition. Typically made from vegetable oils blended with water, emulsifiers, flavourings and colours, they are designed to spread, melt and cook much like butter while offering advantages such as better spreadability from the refrigerator, lower cost or a different fatty acid profile. Food regulations require them to be clearly distinguished from butter on labels so consumers are not misled, and their quality is judged on flavour, texture and performance in cooking and baking.