Is Amul Pasteurized Butter Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why Amul Pasteurized Butter fails the vegan test, we need to look closely at the label. The product contains two primary ingredients: Butter and common salt, plus a permitted natural color.

The main ingredient, Butter, is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is a direct animal byproduct, specifically from cow's milk in the case of Amul. Therefore, the presence of butter automatically disqualifies this product from being vegan. It also contains lactose and casein, which are milk derivatives that many people with allergies or intolerances avoid.

The second ingredient of concern is the Permitted Natural Colour [Annatto]. While annatto is derived from the seeds of the achiote tree and is technically plant-based, the specific formulation used by Amul is labeled as 'permitted natural colour.' In the food industry, this specific phrasing often implies that the color may be processed using animal-derived agents or that the product itself is manufactured in a facility that handles animal products, leading to cross-contamination risks. However, the primary reason for the non-vegan status remains the dairy butter content.

Nutritional Value

Amul Pasteurized Butter is a calorie-dense food, consisting almost entirely of milk fat. A standard serving contains high levels of saturated fats, which provide energy but can be detrimental to heart health if consumed in excess. It contains zero sugar and zero carbohydrates, which makes it suitable for keto diets, but it is not a nutrient-dense food for vegans.

Because it is pure fat, it fits into a diet only in very strict moderation. It does not provide fiber or significant vitamins (other than fat-soluble vitamins naturally present in milk). For those monitoring their cholesterol or saturated fat intake, this product should be limited.