|- | How to Buy Butter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Picture of ButterPrepared by Agricultural Marketing Service. Home and Garden Bulletin Number 257. United States Department of Agriculture.        
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Most consumers buy butter because they like the taste of
    it...whether it's on a hot roll or used to enhance the flavor of a variety of foods.
|  | Points to ConsiderWholesomeness...quality...nutritive value...taste...and informative labeling are some
    of the points to consider when purchasing butter.WholesomenessOnly butter manufactured in a plant approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for
    sanitation and good operating practices can be graded. Plant approval is obtained through
    official inspection of the plant's premises, facilities, equipment, and procedures. USDA
    inspects the entire packaging operation, with the final step being the careful grading of
    the butter before it is ready for sale.Nutritive ValueButter is high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories, and has few vitamins
    and minerals. One tablespoon of butter contains 12 grams total fat, 7 grams saturated
    fatty acids, 31 milligrams cholesterol, and 100 calories. Use the
            Nutrition Facts
            panel on each individual product label to learn about the nutrient content of that food
    and how it fits into an overall daily diet.Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of
    getting certain diseases and to help maintain a healthy weight. The Dietary Guidelines for
    Americans suggest choosing a diet containing 30 percent or less of calories from fat and
    less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids. Also, some health authorities
    suggest that dietary cholesterol be limited to an average of 300 milligrams or less per
    day.USDA nutritionists recommend that all fats, including butter, be used sparingly.Tips:
            Go easy on the amount of butter added to foods during cooking or at the
    table. When you choose butter, balance your fat intake by choosing other foods that are
    low in fat.Quality AssuranceButter can only enhance the flavor of your favorite foods if it's of high quality. And,
    the way to be assured of this quality is to look for the USDA grade shield on the package.The USDA grade shield (AA, A, or B) means that the butter has been evaluated by
    experienced USDA graders and that it has been produced in an approved plant under exacting
    sanitary conditions. Butter grading is provided to manufacturers by USDA's Agricultural
    Marketing Service on a voluntary, fee-for-service basis.Using USDA's Butter GradesThe U.S. grade shield is usually found on the main panel of the butter package, but may
    be shown on the side or end panel. U.S. Grade AA and Grade A are the quality ratings most
    often seen. However, U.S. Grade B butter is also sold in some areas. Choose the quality of
    butter to suit the intended use or your personal preference. Here is what the official
    USDA quality grades mean:U.S. Grade AA Butter
                Delicate, sweet flavor, with a
        fine, highly pleasing aroma
                  
                  Made from high-quality fresh, sweet cream
                  
                  Smooth, creamy texture with good "spreadability"
              U.S. Grade A Butter
                Pleasing flavor
                  
                  Made from fresh cream
                  
                  Fairly smooth texture
                  
                  Rates close to top grade
              U.S. Grade B Butter
                May have slightly acid flavor
                  
                  Readily acceptable to many consumersEarning the Grade ShieldThe USDA grade shield is a reliable guide to butter quality. To earn the right to use
    this shield, a manufacturing plant must meet exacting requirements. All butter bearing the
    shield has been checked by a Federal grader. The grader judges the quality on the basis of
    official written standards which set forth the requirements for each grade. Also, tests
    are run on the butter's "keeping quality" as a check for wholesomeness.How to StoreBecause of its delicate flavor and aroma, butter is sensitive to strong-flavored foods.
    To keep butter at peak quality, follow these simple hints:Store in original protective wrapping or container until ready for use.
              Freeze butter not intended for use within 2 or 3 days. Frozen butter will maintain its
        quality for 2 months.
              For "ready spreadability" keep a few days' supply in the regular portion of
        the refrigerator. Remove 10 to 15 minutes before use.How to Use
            To cut butter cleanly, cover knife blade with waxed paper.
              Butter thinly spread into a sandwich adds to the moisture and flavor, and keeps the
        filling from soaking into the bread.When buying butter, read the label, and look for...the U.S. grade mark, your assurance of quality;
              the product's net weight; and
              the name of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.For more information about nutrition, write:
            
            U.S. Department of Agriculture
            
            Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
            
            1120 20th Street NW, Suite 200 North
            
            Washington, DC 20036Picture of Food PyramidUse the Food Guide Pyramid to help you eat better every day...the
    Dietary Guidelines way. Start with plenty of Breads, Cereals, Rice, and Pasta; Vegetables;
    and Fruits. Add two to three servings from the Milk group and two to three servings from
    the Meat group. Each of these food groups provides some, but not all, of the nutrients you
    need. No one food group is more important than another - for good health you need them
    all. Go easy on the fats, oils, and sweets, the foods in the small tip of the Pyramid.HOW TO BUY BUTTERQUALITY
              U.S. Grade AA:
                Highly pleasing flavor
        and aroma
              U.S. Grade A:
                Almost as good as USDA Grade AA
              U.S. Grade B:
                Slight acid flavor; preferred by some consumers.
            WHOLESOMENESS
              Butter bearing the USDA grade shield must
        be produced in a sanitary plant approved by USDA.This pamphlet supersedes:
            
            HOW TO BUY BUTTER
            
            Home and Garden Bulletin 148
            
            Agricultural Marketing Service
            
            March 1968
            
            Issue date: February 1995