Campagne Liberali, an Italian group that promotes free speech, has questioned a statement by farmers association Coldiretti, that an increase in butter prices is as a result of companies using butter as a palm oil substitute, reports local news agency ANSA.
In a statement, Campagne Liberali said that ‘only a few companies are replacing palm oil with butter’, with the group examining the labels of 25 packaged products.
‘The statements made by the Italian farmers' association seem part of an alarmist strategy in order to advantage butter’s producers,’ the group added.
Palm Oil Use 'Still Common'
Following its research, Campagne Liberali said that the use of palm oil was still common, and even if Coldiretti’s statement was true, companies would likely opt for palm oil instead of butter, as it is more convenient in terms of price and sustainability.
'Coldiretti’s assertions suggest that the advertising campaign against palm oil doesn’t have a scientific basis’, it noted.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Francesca Volpe. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
