Butter is pretty much a necessity in our lives when it comes to cooking.

Personally speaking, I’m not a huge fan of butter on its own as I know some people are. It just doesn’t do anything for me. But I eat it all the time as it’s used to cook a wide variety of foods.

I remember that back when I was a kid, margarine was a popular thing because it was supposed to be a healthier alternative to butter. Now, we know that butter is better, especially if you get the really good stuff like Kerrygold Irish butter.

But following a recent study, it was found that in over 90% of different samples of margarine tested, a deadly carcinogen was found, some at very high levels.

According to the Epoch Times,

A genotoxic carcinogen, glycidol, was found in 15 samples, over 90 percent of the margarine and spreads samples tested. Among them, Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread, contains 1,200 micrograms per kilogram of 3-MCPD and 1,500 micrograms per kilogram glycidol, with the latter exceeding half of the upper limit of EU standard. Foreign studies have shown that excessive intake of 3-MCPD not only impairs kidney function and the central nervous system but may also affect the male reproductive system. Additionally, another genetic carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene, was found in Snow Brand margarine, with an amount of 0.8 microgram per kilogram, which complies with Hong Kong’s current and EU standards.

The margarine brands tested include: Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread, Président Ambassador Culinary Fat Blend (Unsalted), Laburnum Vegetable Fat Spread, OraSi Vegetable fat for spread 70% Margarina, Lurpak Spreadable, Constantia Garlic Margarine, Marin Food Garlic Margarine, Olive Grove Classic Spread Butter, Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening, Snow Brand Premium Vegetable Butter, Benecol Buttery Spread Origina, Meiji Butter Soft, Flora Light Spread, Meadows Spread with Sunflower Oil.

I’m not familiar with  all of those brands, but I have certainly heard of Earth Balance, Crisco, and Olive Grove.

If you’re someone who eats margarine, you may want to thing again. Your body actually needs healthy fat that you can get from butter, otherwise it’s going to just get the unhealthy fat. Don’t be afraid of butter, but you should be afraid of butter substitute laced with cancer.