A new product from Country Crock labeled as “dairy-free butter” has sparked growing concern within the dairy industry. Under the current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), butter is defined as a product made “exclusively from milk or cream, or both.” This means that for any product to be legally labeled as butter, it must contain dairy ingredients. The introduction of a dairy-free product using the term “butter” has therefore raised questions about regulatory compliance and consumer transparency. Chris Galen, the executive director of the American Butter Institute, emphasized that labeling a non-dairy item as butter is a direct violation of federal standards.
The American Butter Institute has formally asked the FDA to intervene, arguing that Country Crock’s dairy-free butter product not only violates established federal standards but also misuses the term “butter.” The Institute stresses that labeling regulations must be rigorously enforced to ensure clear and accurate information for consumers, helping to prevent any potential misinformation or confusion in the marketplace. Galen remains hopeful that the Trump administration will give the complaint careful consideration and respond with greater sympathy to their concerns.
For more information, visit https://butterinstitute.org.
