Margarines
Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread
15 oz (425 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains seed oils
- Contains palm oil
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 45
Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread scores 45 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 21.4 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
-
Pure Irish Butter Countryside Creamery · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Pure Irish Butter Unsalted Kerrygold · 908 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Unsalted Butter Organic Valley · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Butter Unsalted Sweet Cream Kirkland Signature · 4 × 4 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Sea Salted Extra Creamy Butter Tillamook · 454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 55 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Soy Free Buttery Spread
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Palm oil minus 2.5 points
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Safflower oil minus 1.5 points
- Pea protein minus 1.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors 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 21.4 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 714 kcal / 100 g minus 4 points
100 − 55 = 45
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 714 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 78.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 21.4 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 portion (14 g)
Ingredients
- Vegetable Oil Blend (Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Safflower Oil, Flaxseed Oil)
- Water
- Salt
- Pea Protein Isolate
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Olive Oil
- Lactic Acid
- Natural Flavor
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Annatto Extract (Color)
Label text, as published
Vegetable Oil Blend (Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Safflower Oil, Flaxseed Oil), Water, Less than 2% of: Salt, Pea Protein Isolate, Sunflower Lecithin, Olive Oil, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate, Annatto Extract (Color).
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not 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 -
Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt Land O Lakes · 14 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatNo additivesSeed-oil free Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Country Crock Original Country Crock · 45 oz (2 lb 13 oz) 1.27 kg Ultra-processedContains seed oilsContains palm oilNo synthetic dyes Score 69 out of 100 Good -
Smart Balance Whipped Buttery Spread Smart Balance · 13 oz Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oilsContains palm oil Score 61 out of 100 Good
More from Earth Balance
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
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
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
-
Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
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
-
“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
-
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