Kerrygold butter has been pulled off the shelves in the US state of Wisconsin, due to a 1970 law which protects butter producers.
The law states that it is unlawful to sell any butter in retailers unless it has been tested by industry experts and graded.
However, since Kerrygold is made in Ireland it means it is not graded in the US and, under this law, illegal in the state of Wisconsin.
Speaking to TMJ4 news, Lisa Miller, Marketing Director for Ornua North America, said that Ireland’s process of inspecting food is “a little bit different” to the process in the US, but that the standards are universally very high.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said that Kerrygold “is working to get in line”.
“They have made a conscious effort to follow Wisconsin laws and are adapting to the labelling requirements,” it said.
Lisa Miller confirmed that Ornua North America is working on some options that will meet the requirements for the way the inspection process has to work.
Since selling Kerrygold butter in Wisconsin is against the law, retailers could be fined up to $1,000 and face six months jail time.
Jeanne Kelly, Kerrygold Spokesperson said that under Wisconsin legislation, retail butter for sale in Wisconsin must bear either a Wisconsin or federal grade mark.
This effectively excludes Kerrygold butter being sold in Wisconsin because Kerrygold butter is graded, produced and packaged in Ireland.
“We are currently working with the Wisconsin authorities on a solution which will enable consumers throughout the state enjoy the great taste of Kerrygold butter.”
The butter brand has gone from strength-to-strength in the US over the last number of years and is now the number one imported butter brand in the US.
The brand also has cheese on supermarket shelves in the US. The brand’s Dubliner cheese is its best-seller in the US and it also has a reduced-fat version of this product.