Doing its bit for fusion food, Kerrygold is aiming to tap into the popularity of the Mediterranean diet with the launch of Kerrygold Spreadable with Irish Butter and Olive Oil.

Available in full-fat and lighter variants (rsp: £2.80 for a 500g tub; a 250g pack will follow), the product is claimed by Kerrygold to be the first spreadable butter in the UK to offer a blend of butter and olive oil. Most spreadables on the market are described as containing 'vegetable oils'.

The addition of olive oil would give Kerrygold a key point of ­difference, said Alastair Jackson, marketing director at Adams Foods, which owns the brand. "Olive oil is popular and has a high level of household penetration." The oil would not affect the taste of the butter, he added.

Lighter 500g will go into the big four on 27 June and full-fat 500g will follow on 11 July, going into the six biggest mults.

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