Filbert company, based in Baltimore, Maryland, US developed the product in 1979 as a low-cost alternative to butter for the food service industry.

[5] The name originated from a comment by the husband of a company secretary as he sampled the product and it was first marketed to retail consumers in 1981.

[10] In addition to a regular and 'light' spread, Unilever also uses the brand name to market a liquid butter substitute contained in a spray-bottle.

[11] This product is an emulsion of vegetable oil in water formulated with a 'hint' of butter flavor (derived from buttermilk) and is marketed as having zero calories and zero fat content.

[13] It was reported in July 2005 (per research from the market research company Information Resources) that the product at that time led in product sales for its category of margarines, butter blends and spreads, with sales revenue standing at US $244.7 million,[11] summarized from 52 weeks up to July 10, 2005.