Lidl responds to allegations of selling ‘butter’ which is not butter

Before Christmas, 1 of Lidl's customers in Piekary Śląski expressed his dissatisfaction about the product put up for sale as “butter”. As he noted, the cube was described as containing only 60 % milk fat, which in his opinion did not meet the EU requirements for a product called butter.

Customer charges: what does EU law say?

The client referred to EU legislation, indicating that, in accordance with the Regulation of the Council of the European Union of 22 October 2007, the product may bear the name ‘butter’ only if it contains:

• 80 to 90 percent milk fat,
• maximum 16 % of water,
• not more than 2 % non-fatty milk dry matter.

"In accordance with the regulation of the Council of the European Union ... a product can be called butter erstwhile it meets the strict criteria" - wrote the client in the information sent to the editorial board o2.pl.

Answer Lidla: a product that complies with the regulations

In consequence to questions from the editorial board o2.pl Aleksandra Robaszkiewicz, manager of Corporate Affairs and CSR in Lidl Polska, stressed that all products offered by Lidl, including Pilos brand, are in accordance with the applicable regulations.

"Lidl Poland's goal is to offer high-quality products at a low, attractive price, produced in a sustainable way. (...) We will find in the shops, among others, Pilos butter, whose secret of conventional and delicious taste is Polish milk," she wrote.

Explanations concerning ‘Low-fat butter’

Robaszkiewicz pointed out that the product is named according to the legal requirements for reduced fat products: ‘reduced fat butter’.

"This naming is precisely defined in the legislation," she added, citing Regulation No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

According to that Regulation, Appendix II sets out detailed requirements for different types of milk fats, including products containing 60 to 62 % milk fat. specified products may be labelled as ‘butter containing 3 quarters of fat’.

“The article has been put on sale in accordance with the applicable regulations and does not infringe the law,” said Robaszkiewicz.

Transparency in product labelling

Lidl stressed that the labelling on the packaging of products reflects their actual composition and complies with the rules. This aims to guarantee transparency of product information for customers.

"All products offered are legal and appropriately labelled so that the client can make informed choices," added Robaszkiewicz.

Daniel Głogowski

Expert in economics and social activities, experienced writer and writer. The first articles were published in 1999 in publications for global publishers. Working with leading planet newsrooms.