Margarine Rebranding Causes Backlash

A product rebrand fuels labeling backlash among dairy groups.

Country Crock’s margarine will now be called ‘plant-based butter.’ National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO, Jim Mulhern, says the move misleads consumers and is calling on the Food And Drug Administration to regulate the term.

According to USDA, margarine consumption in 2017 was at 3 and a half pounds per person the lowest since 1942. Meanwhile, butter consumption jumped to 5 and a half pounds per person.