Butter's back on the table: Lurpak slides past Flora to become Britain's favourite spread

Lurpak butter has knocked Flora off the top spot in the spreads chart for the first time in 20 years, according to figures out yesterday.

Industry experts say there has been a backlash from confused shoppers against vegetable spreads promising everything from boosting brain power, lowering cholesterol and cutting heart disease.

Lurpak butter has knocked Flora off the top spot in the spreads chart for the first time in 20 years

Instead, consumers are reaching for traditional blocks of butter or spreadable variations as they seek a natural taste over sometimes inflated health claims.

Demand for butter rose 27 per cent in the year to March 2008 with sales reaching a record £466million, while sales of margarine were up just seven per cent over the same period.

Emma Metcalf-King, senior buyer for milk, butter, spreads and cream at Sainsbury's, said: 'Consumers are moving towards a more balanced approach to managing their health, looking for taste as well as health and favouring natural products rather than those with added benefits.'

Spreads have been hit by rocketing costs of dairy, oils and other raw materials.

The price of a 500-gramme tub of Flora Light has gone up 50 per cent from 98p to £1.47.

Changes in legislation are also hitting the sales of spreadable margarines such as Flora which can no longer claim to be 'low in saturated fat', which experts say is a real weakness for a so-called health brand.