Restrictions On Making N.Z. Table Margarine

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31322, 18 March 1967, Page 2

Restrictions On Making N.Z. Table Margarine

Under New Zealand law. the ingredients which a manufacturer is permitted to use are so restrictive that the production of table margarine is not possible, says the spokesman for an Auckland firm of margarine manufacturers in reply to a correspondent to “The Press ” The correspondent, “Fatty,” wrote: “I have been told by my doctor not to eat animai fats, including butter. There must be many others in the same plight. Good-quality margarine is obtainable in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, but one cannot get it here. I have tried the leading grocers in Christchurch. Can this be explained?”

“The reason your correspondent cannot obtain in New Zealand a margarine similar to those , available in the countries named, is that under New Zealand law the ingredients which a manufacturer is permitted to use are so restricted that the production of a table margarine is not possible,” says the spokesman. “This applies irrespective of whether the product is manufactured from animal fats or from vegetable oils. “A cooking or baking margarine manufactured chiefly from animal fats was marketed for many years but was withdrawn from sale two years ago because its price was approaching that of subsidised butter. It is now being reintroduced and should be available next month. “A pure vegetable fat in 11b pats is available in almost all

grocers’ shops. Like comparable products overseas, this has been hydrogenated during manufacture and as your correspondent is under medical care, we suggest that be seek the opinion of his doctor before including it in his diet.” .