A natural starter distillate is added to the cream prior to churning. It is a milk derivative (distilled from fermented cultured milk) that is added to the cream prior to churning. It produces flavor compounds that give our butter a distinctive, pleasing taste. It is similar to those used in the production of sour cream and buttermilk. It is an all natural ingredient.

Do Challenge butter products contain BST?

BST is a protein hormone that occurs naturally in milk. It is also known as Bovine Growth Hormone. The FDA has stated that there is virtually no difference in milk from rbST treated and non-treated cows. At this time, it is not possible, using current scientific equipment/techniques, to differentiate analytically between naturally occurring BST and supplemental rbST in milk. To our knowledge, Challenge products are not produced from milk from cows that have been treated with the hormone rbST. In view of legal constraints, we have not overstated our assurance of rbST-free products since there is currently no test that can determine the truthfulness of dairy claims to be rbST-free.

Is butter gluten free?

All Challenge butter products are gluten free.

Does butter contain Trans Fats?

Trans fat (also called trans fatty acid) is created when vegetable oils are hydrogenated. The process saturates the oil and produces trans fat. It also gives margarine its butter-like consistency.

The National Academy of Science has reported that trans fat in food presents a significant health risk for coronary disease. Recent studies also show that trans fat increases the level of LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), while simultaneously lowering the level of HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol").

Based on this research and the potential adverse effects of trans fat, the FDA is proposing new nutritional labeling for the presence of trans fat in food products. Under the proposed regulations, products that contain 0.5 g or more per serving, will be required to list the trans fat content.

Small amounts of trans fat are naturally present in some dairy products, including butter. Challenge butter products contain less than 0.5 g per serving and, therefore, will not be required to label the trans fat content.