Butter has less salt than it had in the past and should be kept refrigerated, you can soften it before use by removing from the fridge for a while. Dairy Australia advises: Always check the use-by date, to ensure natural freshness and quality. Butter is best kept refrigerated at 4˚C, protected from light and sealed in its original container or wrapping until it is used as it readily absorbs odours from other foods. Butter will keep refrigerated for up to eight weeks, but it is best purchased when required rather than stored. Butter will soften at 30°C and melt at 35°C. In warmer climates, it is best kept refrigerated. As temperatures rise, the fats in butter slowly oxidise and the butter will become rancid. Properly sealed, butter may be kept frozen for up to 12 months.