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The introduction of margarine in the United States in the late 1800s was very controversial in butter-producing states like Minnesota.
Prompted by fears that margarine would undercut butter in the marketplace, lawmakers in Minnesota and elsewhere imposed taxes and regulations to tamp down margarine's success — including a requirement that it be dyed pink.
Reporter Brooks Johnson, who wrote a story on the topic for Curious Minnesota, joined host Eric Roper on the Curious Minnesota podcast to discuss this surprising tale from Minnesota history.
Further reading:
Why did Minnesota once require margarine to be dyed pink? (June 2023 Curious Minnesota story)
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