Butter: which products are ultra-processed and which are not?

Butter: which products are ultra-processed and which are not?

Brands like Flora, Lurpak, Anchor and Kerrygold are often called butter. However, not all of them are pure butter. Some are made from simple ingredients, while others are ultra-processed. Here's a clear guide to which butters, spreads and margarines are ultra-processed—and which are not.



Last updated 16 July 2025

What is ultra-processed food?

Ultra-processed food refers to products that have gone through extensive industrial processing. A classic sign of ultra-processed foods is long ingredient lists with items you wouldn’t normally find in a typical kitchen.

The difference between butter, margarine and butter spreads

Butter, often called "real butter," is made from churned cream. It’s typically based on raw ingredients and not considered ultra-processed. However, much of what people refer to as butter in everyday conversation is actually margarine or butter spreads.

Margarine was developed as a substitute for butter and is made from vegetable oils such as soybean, rapeseed (canola), coconut, or sunflower oil. Because of the way it’s made, margarine is often classified as ultra-processed.

Butter spreads are a blend, combining dairy butter with plant-based oils. They’re designed to be easy to spread straight from the fridge. Depending on the ingredients and the level of processing, some spreads may be considered ultra-processed.

Margarine is considered ultra-processed

To achieve a smooth and stable texture, margarine often contains emulsifiers. These are additives that help mix water and fat—two ingredients that would normally separate.

The vegetable oils used in margarine are also often hardened to give a firmer consistency. This process, known as fat hardening or hydrogenation, is a chemical refining method that turns liquid oils into solid fat.

Many margarine products are also flavoured and coloured to resemble butter more closely. These added ingredients contribute further to their classification as ultra-processed foods.

Why are some butter spreads considered ultra-processed?

Like margarine, butter spreads are made to stay soft straight from the fridge. This is usually done by mixing butter with vegetable oils and adding emulsifiers to keep water and fat from separating.

Some spreads also contain stabilisers or preservatives to improve shelf life, and added flavours or colouring to enhance taste and appearance. These steps go beyond traditional food preparation and are part of what makes many butter spreads ultra-processed.

Not all butter spreads are the same, but when multiple additives and industrial techniques are involved, they are generally classified as ultra-processed foods.

Is Lurpak considered ultra-processed? 

Lurpak is the largest butter and spread brand in the UK, and most of its products are not considered ultra-processed. They are primarily made from dairy butter. Some spreadable versions include rapeseed oil for softness, but typically without additives that would make them ultra-processed.

Lurpak Butter - Slightly Salted 200g

Lurpak Butter - Slightly Salted 200g

Ingredients: Butter (Milk), Lactic Culture (Milk), Salt, Minimum Fat content 80%

Lurpak Butter - Slightly Salted 200g is Not ultra-processed .

Lurpak Lighter Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 750g

Lurpak Lighter Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 750g

Ingredients: Butter (40%) (Milk), Water, Rapeseed Oil, Lactic Culture (Milk), Salt

Lurpak Lighter Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 750g is Not ultra-processed .

Lurpak Plant Based Spreadable 400g

Lurpak Plant Based Spreadable 400g

Ingredients: Plant Oils (Rapeseed, Coconut, Shea), Water, Oat, Culture, Salt, Carrot Concentrate, Lemon Concentrate

Lurpak Plant Based Spreadable 400g is Not ultra-processed .

Flora

Flora mainly produces plant-based spreads made from oils like sunflower, rapeseed, and palm. These spreads often contain emulsifiers, stabilisers, and added flavouring, which means many of Flora’s products are classified as ultra-processed. Unlike traditional butter, they are made through several industrial steps to achieve their texture and shelf life.

Flora Original Spread with Natural Ingredients 450G

Flora Original Spread with Natural Ingredients 450G

Ingredients: Plant Oils (Rapeseed, Sunflower, Linseed), Water, Coconut Fat, Salt (1.3%), Plant Based Emulsifier (Lecithin), Faba Bean preparation, Natural Flavourings, Vitamin A

Flora Original Spread with Natural Ingredients 450G er Ultra-processed.

Flora Lighter Spread With Natural Ingredients 1KG

Flora Lighter Spread With Natural Ingredients 1KG

Ingredients: Water, Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed, Sunflower, Linseed), Coconut Fat, Salt 1.2%, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Vinegar, Natural Flavourings, Vitamin A

Flora Lighter Spread With Natural Ingredients 1KG er Ultra-processed.

Anchor

Anchor offers a range of butters and spreads in the UK. Its traditional block butter is made from cream and is not considered ultra-processed. However, some of its spreadable products include vegetable oils and may contain additives like emulsifiers or preservatives. These products are more likely to fall into the ultra-processed category.

Anchor Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 400g

Anchor Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 400g

Ingredients: Anchor Butter (50%) (Milk), Rapeseed Oil (29%), Water, Salt (1.1%), Colour (Beta Carotene)

Anchor Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil 400g er Ultra-processed.

Anchor Salted Butter 200G

Anchor Salted Butter 200G

Ingredients: Butter (Milk), Salt (1.7%)

Anchor Salted Butter 200G is Not ultra-processed .

Kerrygold

Kerrygold is best known for its pure Irish butter, made from cream with no unnecessary additives. These products are not considered ultra-processed. While Kerrygold also offers spreadable versions in some markets, they tend to keep ingredients simple, making most of their range free from ultra-processing.

Kerrygold Salted Block Butter 250G

Kerrygold Salted Block Butter 250G

Ingredients: Butter (Milk), Salt (1.8%), Fat 80% min

Kerrygold Salted Block Butter 250G is Not ultra-processed .

Kerrygold Spreadable Butter 400g

Kerrygold Spreadable Butter 400g

Ingredients: Butter (50%) (Milk), Water, Rapeseed Oil (20%), Salt (1.3%), Colour (Carotene)

Kerrygold Spreadable Butter 400g is Not ultra-processed .

Clover 

One of the UK's best-selling spreads.  Some products contain additives, so many are classified as ultra-processed.

Clover Original Spread 500G

Clover Original Spread 500G

Ingredients: Vegetable Oils in varying proportions (Sustainable Palm, Rapeseed), Buttermilk (Milk) (20%), Water, Salt, Natural Flavouring, Colour (Carotenes)

Clover Original Spread 500G er Ultra-processed.

Country Life

A classic British brand made from British cream – this block butter contains only simple ingredients and is not ultra-processed.

Country Life British Salted Block Butter 200g

Country Life British Salted Block Butter 200g

Ingredients: Butter (Milk), Salt (1.8%)

Country Life British Salted Block Butter 200g is Not ultra-processed .

Vitalite

A leading plant-based spread in the UK, free from dairy, but often containing stabilisers and emulsifiers – making it ultra-processed.

Vitalite Dairy Free Spread 500G

Vitalite Dairy Free Spread 500G

Ingredients: Vegetable Oils in varying proportions (Rapeseed, Sustainable Palm, Sunflower), Water, Salt, Emulsifiers-E471, Lecithins, Preservative-Potassium Sorbate, Acid-Lactic Acid, Flavourings, Colours - Annatto Bixin, Curcumin

Vitalite Dairy Free Spread 500G er Ultra-processed.

Tesco (own brand)


Tesco offers several butters and spreads under its own label. Ingredients vary by product — some are simple, while others include additives typical of ultra-processed foods.

Tesco 30% Less Fat Buttery Spread 500g

Tesco 30% Less Fat Buttery Spread 500g

Ingredients:

INGREDIENTS: Water, Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Salt (1%), Emulsifiers (Mono- and Di-Glycerides of Fatty Acids, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate), Reconstituted Buttermilk (0.5%), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Flavouring (contains Milk), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Colour (Beta-Carotene), Vitamin D.

Tesco 30% Less Fat Buttery Spread 500g er Ultra-processed.

Président

The prèsident brands traditional butter is made with simple ingredients and isn’t ultra-processed.

Président French Unsalted Block Butter 250g

Président French Unsalted Block Butter 250g

Ingredients: Butter (Cream (Milk), Lactic Starters), Total Fat content: 82%

Président French Unsalted Block Butter 250g is Not ultra-processed .

Yeo Valley

Yeo Valley’s butters are typically made from cream without unnecessary additives, so they are generally not ultra-processed.

Yeo Valley Organic Salted Butter 200g

Yeo Valley Organic Salted Butter 200g

Ingredients: Organic Unsalted Butter (Milk), Salt* (1.5%), Minimum Fat content 80%, *Non-organic ingredient

Yeo Valley Organic Salted Butter 200g is Not ultra-processed .

Bertolli

Bertolli uses plant oils and often includes additives. Most of its products fall under the ultra-processed category

Bertolli Original Spread 450G

Bertolli Original Spread 450G

Ingredients: Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed, Palm, Olive (10%)), Water, Salt (1.1%), Buttermilk (Milk), Emulsifiers (Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Lecithin), Natural Flavourings, Vitamins A & D

Bertolli Original Spread 450G er Ultra-processed.

ProActiv

Designed to help lower cholesterol, ProActiv spreads contain plant sterols and several additives, making them ultra-processed.

ProActiv Buttery Taste Spread 450G

ProActiv Buttery Taste Spread 450G

Ingredients: Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed, Coconut, Sunflower), Water, Plant Sterol Esters 9% (Equivalent to 5.4% Plant Sterols), Salt (0.8%), Emulsifier (Lecithin), Natural Flavourings, Vitamin A and D

ProActiv Buttery Taste Spread 450G er Ultra-processed.

Benecol

Similar to ProActiv, Benecol spreads include plant stanols and are designed for heart health. They are considered ultra-processed due to added ingredients.

Benecol Buttery Spread 500G

Benecol Buttery Spread 500G

Ingredients: Rapeseed Oil, Water, Plant Stanol Ester (Plant Stanols 6.6g/100g), Responsibly sourced Palm Oil, Buttermilk Powder, Salt (1%), Emulsifiers (Mono and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Sunflower Lecithin), Natural Flavourings, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Colour (Carotenes), Vitamin A, Vitamin D3

Benecol Buttery Spread 500G er Ultra-processed.