Margarines
Parkay, 60% vegetable oil spread
12 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 46
Parkay, 60% vegetable oil spread scores 46 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Saturated fat 10.7 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong
- minus 7 points Salt 2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better butter and spreads
-
Select Blend Of Vegetable Oils Smart Balance · 14 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 88 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Spreadable Irish Butter with Canola Oil Countryside Creamery · 7.5 oz (212 g) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Butter Quth Olive Oil Challenge · 364 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Irish Butter with Avocado Oil Kerrygold · 212 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Butter with Canola Oil Land O Lakes Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 54 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Parkay, 60% vegetable oil spread
Ingredients
- Soybean oil minus 2.5 points
- Hydrogenated oil minus 2.5 points
- Mono- and diglycerides minus 2.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 1.5 points
- Phosphoric acid minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Potassium sorbate minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 10.7 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 500 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
100 − 54 = 46
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [15]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 57.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 10.7 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 1 Tbsp (14 g)
Ingredients
- Soybean Oil
- Water
- Salt
- Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil
- Monoglycerides
- Soy Lecithin
- Phosphoric Acid
- Natural Flavor
- Beta Carotene (Color)
- With Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate To Preserve Freshness
Label text, as published
Soybean Oil, Water, Less than 2% of: Salt, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color), With Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate To Preserve Freshness. CONTAINS: SOY.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More margarines on GoodSwap
-
Plant Butter Earth Balance · 13 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains seed oils Score 47 out of 100 Okay -
Buttery Spread Smart Balance · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oilsContains palm oil Score 61 out of 100 Good -
Original Country Crock · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains seed oilsContains palm oilNo synthetic dyes Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Country Rock Olive oil plant butter Country Crock Ultra-processedContains seed oilsContains palm oilNo synthetic dyes Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Vegetable Oil Spread Land O'Lakes Inc. · 14 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oils Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Buttery spread Benecol · 8 oz Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oilsContains palm oil Score 66 out of 100 Good
More from Parkay
Sources
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“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (E 471) as food additives
“The available studies did not raise any concern with regard to genotoxicity.”
doi.org
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate
ecfr.gov
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org
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Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
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“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org