Updated September 2022! This summer, Smart Balance Buttery Spreads underwent a recipe transition, and it’s a doozy. In most varieties, the water to oil ratio was increased, reducing the fat and calories by 25 to 40%. In essence, several of the “regular” buttery spreads became the “light” buttery spreads, and the formal light versions were discontinued. Flaxseed oil was substituted for the pea protein in most varieties, which is good news for some with legume allergies, but it is reportedly causing more oil/water separation in the product. Also, several varieties now specifically contain “vitamin D3” and do not state if it is vegan sourced. We have full information in this post, followed by current reviews.
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads Continue to Evolve as Dairy-Free Alternatives
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads confuse many dairy-free consumers, and for good reason. This brand has twisted and turned more times over the years than I can count. Early on, a company called GFA Brands produced Earth Balance and Smart Balance. Yes, they are made by the same company, and reportedly in the same facility. GFA was eventually bought by Boulder Brands, which has since been swallowed up by Conagra Foods.
The Earth Balance line of products has been dairy-free all along, but many of the Smart Balance products started out with dairy. They made a light version without dairy, and later added a specifically dairy-free Smart Balance Buttery Spread. Then one day, Smart Balance, as a brand, went completely dairy-free and plant-based. For a while, their packaging even said “dairy free butter” on the front. Some of their old customers weren’t happy about this, so they have since added a dairy “Butter Blend” line of products back into their mix.
So now, all of the Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are dairy-free, but they do have a dairy butter blend line of spreads. Whew! Fortunately, the two lines look quite different. The butter blends are small oval containers, while the buttery spreads are full-size, square-ish tubs. They did remove “dairy free butter” from the buttery spread packaging, but I’m guessing it was just to avoid potential dairy lawsuit issues about using the term “butter.” There wasn’t any other change to that product line, and they remained dairy free.
But this year, the transitions are continuing. All light versions of Smart Balance have been discontinued, and the aforementioned formula change is a massive one. It affects the consistency, nutrition, and customer base. The packaging still looks nearly identical. But if you look closely, the oil percentages have changed quite a bit. In fact, the Original, Omega3, and Olive Oil versions went from 64% vegetable oils to 39% vegetable oils. And of course, the ingredients and basic nutrition facts have changed to the ones detailed below.
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads Reveal Lighter Formulas in Regular Line
Here are current details on all of the non-organic dairy-free and vegan buttery spreads from this brand. We’re not sure yet if the organic variety has changed, as the company hasn’t updated any information anywhere online. For now, we have the organic information from prior. Please do leave your own unbiased rating and review below if you buy and try any of them, and be sure to mention which one(s) you use!
Original
Ingredients: vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil, olive oil), water, contains less than 2% of salt, flaxseed oil, monoglycerides, natural and artificial flavors, sunflower lecithin, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta-carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, calcium disodium edta (to preserve freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 60 calories, 7g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Omega 3 (not vegan)
Ingredients: water, vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil), water, contains less than 2% of, flaxseed oil, salt, fish oil, monoglycerides, olive oil, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta-carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, tbhq, calcium disodium edta (to protect freshness). contains: fish.
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 50 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Low Sodium Whipped
Ingredients: vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil), water, less than 2% of salt, pea protein isolate, monoglycerides, sunflower lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, beta-carotene color, and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, calcium disodium edta (to preserve freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 60 calories, 7g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ingredients: water, vegetable oil blend (canola oil, palm oil, extra virgin olive oil), less than 2 percent of: flaxseed oil, salt, monoglycerides, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, beta carotene (color), and potassium sorbate, lactic acid, tbhq and calcium disodium edta (to protect freshness).
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 50 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Organic (Not Sure if Ingredients / Nutrition Have Changed – Please Comment if You have New Packaging Information)
Ingredients: oil blend (palm fruit*, soybean*, canola* and olive* oils), water, salt, natural flavor*, crushed soybeans*, soy lecithin*, lactic acid (non-dairy), and naturally extracted annatto* (color). *organic. contains: soy.
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 80 calories, 9g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Discontinued Smart Balance Buttery Spreads
All “Light” versions were discontinued – with Flaxseed Oil, with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and with Omega 3. But, all of the regular versions were made significantly more light. In essence, the light versions replaced the regular versions.
More Facts on Smart Balance Buttery Spreads
- Price: $4.49 per 13- to 15-ounce tub
- Availability: Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are sold at mainstream grocers throughout the U.S., like Walmart, Kroger stores, Albertsons stores, and more. Look for them refrigerated in the butter section.
- Certifications: Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are Certified Kosher Pareve. The Organic variety is also Certified Organic.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Smart Balance Buttery Spreads are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and keto-friendly. All non-organic varieties are now soy-free. Select varieties are vegan and vegetarian, but some one contains fish oil and some now contain vitamin D3 which might be of animal origin. Check with the company to confirm, if concerned.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Smart Balance website at www.smartbalance.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
Extra virgin olive oil, smart, balance, buttery spread
Smart balance, olive oil, buttery spread has been my favorite choice but I just purchased a recent tub and it was the most terrible tasting buttery spread I have ever had. I hope you have not change the recipe again I’m afraid to buy another.
TOOoo Watery
I’ve been using smart balance since the beginning.. I should know it has changed — Toooo much water.
I’m not paying your price for Water…
Brand New and Tastes Slightly Rancid
This spread had the best nutrition profile so I thought I’d give it a try. I bought two tubs from a major grocery store and was well within the expiration date. I’ve also kept them in the fridge. We’ll, the first one I used had what I can only describe as a rancid flavor. I threw it away and opened the second tub. Same unpleasant flavor. I guess I’ll go back to real butter and take my chances
Unbelievable Product Disaster
This faithful buyer is shocked at the stupidity shown in changing this once wonderful product. I hope whoever was the “genius” who developed this substitute is no longer employed. I’m still searching for a replacement. What a disaster.
No taste its junk
Smart balance sent me a coupon for its buttery spread they said they changed Ingredients back to original formula. I bought it again and its still tasteless and doesn’t melt on toast and you cannot fry with it. They destroyed a good product I used to love the taste and melt ability. Its awful ill never buy it again.
Found the original at King Soopers
64% vegetable oil. It MELTS! Tastes great. But only in the big tub.
Smart Balance Buttery Spread
It tastes “Fishy”!
79% is the ORIGINAL
why are they claiming that 64% veg oil was their original…it was 78 or 79% as proven by the picture above of the Organic version – the alleged original product landing back on the shelves continues to disappoint ZERO STARS
Response from Go Dairy Free
I can’t say why it is still watery, but the Original was 64% and has been for many years. We have photos from before the reformulation that confirm 64% even in older packaging. The organic has always been higher in oil than the original.
Really bad reformation
The Smart Balance reformulation was a really bad move. The spread doesn’t melt on hot vegetables and mash potatoes. It is very watery. And taste awful
Smart Balance watered-down slop formula has returned
After the deluge of complaints about their watered-down formula, Conagra claimed that they were gong back to the original formula, and they did, BRIEFLY. But now the watered-down slop has returned, and the Smart Balance website, UPDATED IN DECEMBER, shows information that is only slightly different from the slop introduced last summer. They seem determined to drive away ALL their remaining customers.