Donna Carter, age 13, of Bessemer, Ala., for her question:

WHAT IS IN MARGARINE?

Margarine is a food product that is often used as a butter substitute. It is usually made of refined vegetable oils, mainly soybean oil, and skim milk. Salt and Vitamin A also are usually added.

Oleomargarine was introduced in 1869 by a French chemist named Hippolyte Mege Mouries. He was given a U.S. patent for the product in 1872. His process used beef fat.

Oleomargarine refers to the animal fat product. Oleomargarine is now a major market for American farmers' seed crops.

In 1950 Congress repealed the federal taxes and license fees on margarine made in the United States. Standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration control the kind and amount of ingredients that go into margarine today.