does butter spoil?

Question

as a lot of people do, we keep butter out on a dish so that it is spreadable and soft but we we are concerned that it may spoil. My family has always done it without any issues my whole life but since it's a dairy product and I am now a concerned parent I need to ask the question.

Answer 1

Yes, it does, like any fat it will go rancid.

Butter should be refrigerated at or below 40°F (4.4°C) to retain its quality and to guard against rancidity. Under these conditions, it can be stored about a month. Butter that has an unpleasant smell or sour taste is likely to be rancid and should not be eaten, as the odor corresponds to a buildup of butyric acid. Opened butter cartons and unwrapped sticks of butter should be kept in a separate refrigerator compartment or in a covered butter dish to keep the butter from absorbing the odors of other foods. To soften it, remove butter from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you want to use it.

Answer 2

Yes. Manufacturing process of butter has changed a lot since the old days, when it was safe to leave pure butter out all day.

It simply is not made the same way.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3510.htm

Answer 3

The answer is yes, it can become rancid. If you ever looked at it under a microscope when you just left it out overnight, you would never do that again.

Answer 4

Yes, it gets rancid and tastes terrible. We leave our butter out too and it is fine for us. But you will know when it isn't okay. If it tastes "off" throw it out.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

It can but it is pretty rare to have it happen.

Answer 7

not at all

Answer 8

no