The American Butter Institute (ABI) recently unveiled a new logo for the association, one of the many changes that have taken place recently at the 106-year-old organization.

“As a result of the changes made through our strategic planning process, it was determined that ABI needed to revitalize and revamp its logo to bring it more into the 21st century,” said Executive Director Anuja Miner.

ABI also says that U.S. butter consumption has reached its highest level in 40 years. Miner attributed the increase in part to a shift in consumer preferences away from highly processed foods, artificial ingredients and trans fats derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began the process of banning trans fats from the American food supply.

“Margarine and other spreads are no longer viewed as healthier alternatives,” Miner said, as consumers are demanding more pure and natural products. Since 2002, Americans increased their butter intake by 25 percent. In 2012, per capita consumption reached 5.6 pounds a year, up from a low point of 4.1 pounds in 1997. PD

—From American Butter Institute news release