The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 709 - Butter vs Margarine - live
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Nov 11, 2025 Discover the hilarious history of butter vs. margarine in Wisconsin! From Napoleon's search for butter substitutes to the absurd color laws that mandated pink margarine, this tale is ripe with political battles and moral panics. Explore how propaganda painted margarine as a villain, leading to bizarre court rulings and black market trading. Unravel the strange alliances, celebrity endorsements, and the lasting effects of the margarine wars on food politics and state identity. It's a culinary showdown you didn't know you needed!
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Origins Explain The Cultural Backlash
- Margarine originated as a cheaper, longer‑lasting alternative invented for armies and the poor and quickly spread worldwide.
- The product's origin as animal‑fat and vegetable‑fat experiments shaped public distrust and marketing battles.
Dairymen Admit Margarine's Threat
- Hiram Smith admitted oleo was outperforming most dairy butter, prompting dairy groups to modernize operations.
- Wisconsin formed a dairymen's association to both improve butter quality and fight margarine's rise.
Regulation Became A Competitive Tool
- States responded with labeling, packaging restrictions, and heavy taxes to hinder margarine's market share.
- Cosmetic rules (color bans, pink or black dye proposals) became political weapons rather than consumer protections.
