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.
I thought it went bad it was such a weird consistency
This has been the only butter we use for everything including baking for years due to my son’s allergies. I haven’t baked with it yet but am guessing it will not work since it is way too soft. I’m going to have to find a new dairy free butter.
From Five Stars To One With Their Recipe Change
They’ve turned a GREAT product into a pasty mess. The new Smart Balance buttery spread is absolutely awful! I’ve used it for as long as I can remember and happily paid a little extra for healthy product that tasted good and was easy to cook with … no more. This new goop they’re selling is terrible.
New formula is horrible
I didn’t know about the “formula change” so I didn’t understand what was wrong with the new tub of Smart Balance I had purchased. I thought it had gone bad or been improperly stored at the grocery store. It is soft and mushy and has little taste, not at all like the original. We couldn’t eat it. Also, this new formula cannot be frozen, as the original could. Then, I searched online and learned about the change in formulation. What a mistake. I hope Conagra pays attention to these reviews and changes the product back to its original formulation.
Why is it so soft?
My husband and I noticed the difference immediately and couldn’t figure it out until we read the new ingredients!! We never, I mean never bought anything else. My last batch of cookies were so hard and now we know why. Never again.
The new recipe is a disaster
My family and I have been using this brand for years. Yesterday my husband bought two new tubs as we were out. I opened one of the tubs today and what was inside was unrecognizable from the original. It was a weird color it was all separated and just completely gross. I figured for sure it was just a one-off so I opened the second tub to find out that it was exactly the same. Smart Balance can take their shrinkflation ideas and stick it I won’t be buying their products anymore
Smart Balance is Ruined
Smart Balance changed its recipe and is now slimy and tasteless. Apparently, this generation of marketers don’t remember Coca Cola, Shlitz beer and others learned a lesson about changing formulas. Leave well enough alone.
Horrible Separation
This original “butter” spread was always my favorite for nearly two decades, but now the new watered down formula separates dramatically in the pan and can no longer be used in baking. It’s now expensive butter flavored water. They are trying to increase profits by selling you water. I will no longer buy it. Very sad. If it isnt broken dont fix it! Remember “new coke”? Almost bankrupted a fortune 500 company. Grrr
Cheap
They added water to this and you can see it when cooking it separates from the oil. They cheapened their product most likely to make more money. I was a loyal user, but will not buy again.
Terrible, Terrible, Tasteless, Disgusting Recipe Change!!!
Smart Balance original. I thought I had a bad container when the butter was soft and would not melt on hot toast. New recipe does not taste good and does not perform well.
I noticed the much softer consistency immediately but saw nothing on the packaging explaining this. Did a search and found out that it has been MAJORLY reformulated. The spin will be that it makes it healthier, the reality is that it makes Smart Balance more money since it is mostly water. I will no longer be buying this product.
Whatever they did, they have made it inedible. I loved this product. Now it is a tasteless airy mass. I can’t believe this company could be so incompetent. I would give no stars if I could.
I want my money back!!!
Customer for years
Really bad choice to change it. It tastes bad, spreads worse. You have lost my business.