[Erasmus]

Back in the day, when “oleo” came in a white color, my mother said her family mixed it with turmeric to get the normal “butter” color.

At the time, it was unlawful in many places to sell oleomargarine already colored yellow. It often came with a little packet of coloring instead.

As you might guess, this was the doing of the dairy lobby.

ps.: Another powerful yellow food colorant is beta carotene in small concentrations.

[Western Phil]

As you might guess, this was the doing of the dairy lobby.

I grew up on home made butter and could never understand why anyone would want to color oleo since coloring did nothing to improve its flavor. Then when I was introduced to commercial butter, I discovered that flavor did not make any difference. The only thing I ever found that compared to home made butter flavor was Grade B butter which was made from sour cream. Only found it once. Nobody will buy anything that is labeled Grade B, no matter how good it is.

[Western Phil]

As you might guess, this was the doing of the dairy lobby.

I grew up on home made butter and could never understand why anyone would want to color oleo since coloring did nothing to improve its flavor. Then when I was introduced to commercial butter, I discovered that flavor did not make any difference. The only thing I ever found that compared to home made butter flavor was Grade B butter which was made from sour cream. Only found it once. Nobody will buy anything that is labeled Grade B, no matter how good it is.