THE dairy industry has gone on the front foot to counter suggestions that people should reduce their consumption of butter.
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Last Monday, the Heart Foundation issued a press release encouraging decreased use of butter and that consumers should opt for margarine instead.
The media release gained further attention when it was coupled with the popularity of butter in MasterChef recipes and the story aired on Today Tonight.
QDO president Brian Tessmann wrote in Queensland Country Life last Thursday that butter and other dairy products are essential to a balanced and healthy diet.
Butter is also a natural product that has been made largely the same way for thousands of years.
It enhances the taste of many foods.
Dairy Australia dietician Glenys Zucco added that there was no evidence to suggest restricting dairy foods, such as butter, was in any way appropriate to prevent heart disease.
"The key message is that we need to be continuing to promote the health and taste benefits of dairy foods," Mr Tessmann said.