People often come to my website to read the article about dairy-free soy-free margarine. The bottom line was that palm shortening works well for baking and making frosting, but there wasn’t any dairy-free and soy-free spreadable butter or margarine — until now! I have very exciting news for the food allergy community…
Earth Balance, known for their dairy-free vegan butter substitutes, has created a soy-free version of their buttery spread. Yes, people, there is a dairy-free soy-free “butter” that can be spread on toast and used for baking!
Recognizing that soy is one of the top 8 allergens, Earth Balance took the soybean oil out for their Soy-Free Spread, using a natural oil blend of palm fruit oil, safflower, canola and olive oils. Rickard Werner, vice president and general manager of Earth Balance® states in a press release:
“We feel that there is a great demand for alternatives to traditional spreads that contain food allergens such as soy – one of the top eight most common food allergens according to the FDA*. At Earth Balance®, we pride ourselves on providing innovative and great tasting products for people who are vegan, suffer from food allergies or those simply seeking healthy alternatives. We feel confident that our new Soy Free Spread will be a hit with all.â€
I’m pretty sure it will be a hit in my house. Thank you Earth Balance!
Here is what I am looking forward to:
- Making a piece of gluten-free toast for my daughter with cinnamon, sugar and… “butter“!
- Baking gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, egg-free cookies for my daughter with… “butter“!
Here is the full ingredient list of the Soy-Free Buttery Spread:
Expeller-pressed natural oil blend (palm fruit, canola, safflower and olive), water, contains less than 2% salt, sunflower lecithin, pea protein, natural flavor (derived from corn: no msg, no alcohol, no gluten), lactic acid (non-dairy source), naturally extracted annatto for color.
Whole Foods has picked up this product nationally! Can’t find it in a store near you? Request it!
UPDATE 3/30/09: Reader Chris has let me know in the comments that Earth Balance told him that the product will be coming out in May.
carrie says
THIS IS SUCH GOOD NEWS!!! YAY!!! I can’t wait to see if my local store carries this!! Thanks for sharing, this is really wonderful news!!
Lacie says
This is awsome! My family is new at eating allergy free (we are allergic to several different foods, and we thought butter was out. Thank you for sharing this with us! It’s on my shopping list for this week.
Sharon the BloggerQueen says
Oh man, I’m soy happy!!! Even though my daughter’s back on soy, I’m happy for everyone else. Its really a big deal. We used to put imitation butter flavoring in vegetable shortening. It worked, but certainly this will be much better.
Pam says
This is a great step forward but more and more people are allergic to corn. We can’t use it because the natural flavors are derived from corn 🙁
helen says
Thanks for the info. I am excited that this product is finally here!
Jennifer says
Okay, where did you get this??? I could not find it on the http://www.EarthBalanceNatural.com website and I called the stores that it distributes through in my area and nobody has or knows when they will get it. I love that you found it, now share your secret! 😀
alison says
I haven’t actually had it in my hand yet. Earth Balance told me that Whole Foods can get it and they haven’t updated their website. I just got back from Whole Foods and requested it. They are going to see if they can get it tomorrow. I will let you know when I see it for real!
Chris says
I called Earth Balance (Smart Balance) and Joan told me it’s not coming out until May. Whole foods in Ann Arbor said, They can’t get it right now, and Didn’t know it even existed. If someone gets it please tell us what store. Thanks
Sue Glenn says
Why must there be pea protein in this spread? Why is there any protein in it at all? The thing that would make this spread absolutely PERFECT, would to be to get rid of the pea protein and corn derivitives. Imagine how many MORE people could use it!
Brandi says
We contacted Earth Balance and they said it will be in Whole Foods Markets in early May. I can’t wait to try this product!! Finally… butter!!!
chemicalkitchen says
i got really excited until the pea protein 🙁 looks like applesauce in the cookies is a permanent fixture
Marie says
Well, peas (so far) aren’t a concern for me so Im very excited at a soy free and milk free ‘butter’. There has to be some kind of protein in butter to give it solidity and binding. Without a binder the oils and water will separate. Other than the palm oil (which is solid at room temperature) all the other ingredients are liquid. No protein added would leave it a greasy goo.
Soy has always been a good alternative to casein because it has similar properties and mild flavor. I really can’t think of another vegetable besides beans/peas that would work for non-dairy applications. Peas are a lentil and not everyone allergic to or avoiding soy need omit it from their diet.
Some people use Palm Oil by itself. However, this is really only for baking as it is very heavy and greasy. You would not want to use it for toast. I personally dont even like it for baking. I think it is highly indigestable. So, Im hoping the Earth Balance spread will only include a small amount.
Lynette says
Excited! My son was tested for allergies because of severe asthma that continually put us in the hospital, turns out he’s allergic to MILK, EGGS, WHEAT, SOY, PEANUTS, DOGS, every type of GRASS except salt grass, every type of MOLD, HOUSE DUST, all types of TREES, mild to moderate allergy to COCONUT, ALMOND, HAZEL NUT, and severely allergic to Box Elder ( ? not sure until we see an allergist what this even is ) So at the age of 4 eliminating these foods is hard and we are on day 6 of allergen free foods, cant wait to add the butter to our food and his “special cabinant and special shelves in the fridge and freezer “
DB says
I just found out I’m allergic to milk and soy at 27. It’s been really difficult finding products that are truly dairy-free and soy-free. With the really nasty cheeses I’ve tried so far, I was really skeptical about trying this butter. I have to say that I was extremely pleased with the taste. I kept toasting bread just to add the butter.
Marie says
Just want to let everyone know I found it at Whole Foods two days after I posted here. It tastes terrific, just like butter to me. I’ve only used it as a spread, but you tell by the texture that it will be excellent for baking and making faux ice cream. Very happy since I haven’t really had anything close to butter in a decade!
Melissa says
So happy!!!!! My 3 year old is allergic to dairy and soy. I cant wait for him to try a piece of butter on toast!!!!!!!!!!
Kenzi says
My mom and I have recently been trying to stay away from soy. We both LOVED Earth Balance, so it was really hard to try to without it. We’re both SO HAPPY to see you’ve come out with such a thing! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Marni says
I have just discovered I am allergic to soy and dairy (at age 53) and I was excited to see this margarine, UNTIL I discovered the corn flavoring. I have been allergic to corn for over 10 years now. It was hard enough finding food without corn products in them, now I have to eliminate dairy and soy. This would be perfect if they removed the corn.
Eve says
I’m looking for a butter substitute to make my son’s first birthday cake. He has severe eczema and that leads to more than 10 types of food that he’s allergic to including milk, soy, and potato. I’m so trilled to find this product until I read the ingredients and found out that there’s “corn” in it. Unfortunately, it is the number one of his food allergy. I wish Earth Balance make another flavor without corn.
Eileen says
Yahooo!!!! Finally someone made a spread. I look forward to trying it out in my baking.
Carrie says
I was so excited until I read that they used pea protein. My son is allergic to soy, dairy, peas, peanuts and eggs. I can’t find a cheese anywhere and I can’t seem to find a butter substitute. It’s so dissappointing!
Skye says
Great to have a dairy-soy free margarine on the market, although as a mother of a 2 year old who is also allergic to peas (among many other things) I find the pea protein addition disappointing. In Australia (where I am from) there is a great margarine product called Nuttelex which contains (all from vegetable sources) Sunflower oil, Canola oil, vegetable oils, water, salt, emulsifiers (471, 322 sunflower lecithin), flavour, vitamins A, D2, E. Unfortunately this Aussie company has found it too expensive / difficult to break into the US market – but if they can make a product suitable for people with allergies (and they have been doing so for about 30 years) then why can’t one of the big US brands do the same!
jean sizemore says
Hey I just bought the Earth Balance soy free spread for my son I got it in my favorite health food store in Berlin Ohio. My son is allergic to just about everything and this was a major blessing for my house. I made homemade bread for him last night and this morning he had it for the first time I got the biggest hug what a reward.
Angie Centrella says
I appreciate the news and may try getting a tub for my husband who is allergic to dairy and soy. I am somewhat concerned about the “pea protein” as my husband along with many others allergic to soy is also allergic to other members of the legume family (peas? limas, kidney beans)….so close.
Tammy Gallant says
I am so happy to see that there is finally a milk free and soy free butter substitute!!!! My 11 month old is allergic to milk and soy and I am still nursing, so I can’t consume these either. I want so badly to bake him a cake for his 1st birthday next month, but was unable to find a frosting recipe that was soy free. I am going to Whole Foods tomorrow. I hope they have it.
alison says
For everyone who said that they or their children can’t have pea protein either, you might try the palm shortening in your baking and frosting recipes.
Read more here:
Palm Shortening
Jim says
I have been allergic to milk and gluten for years. For baking, I use light olive oil or coconut milk to make pecan pie. For cakes, a combination of light olive oil and whipping up a mixture of an apple, banana, zucchini, 1/2 an avocado and some carrot juice in a blender makes a great mix with flour or a mix of rice and sorghum flours for us celiacs to create a moist cake.
Shawn says
This stuff is heaven. I stock up on it an bake with it. Wish they had it in sticks.
Tabitha says
Pea Protein! Bummer! You have to wonder why they would even add this, as peas are a legume, and so many people are allergic to peanuts…Guess we’ll stick with the butter flavored shortening.
Barbara says
I was so excited to finally find a soy free, dairy free margerine that I ran out to the store and bought some immediately. Well, I should have read the label more carefully – Pea Protein! If you’re allergic to soy, the odds are that you’re allergic to most legumes, including pea protein. I was a sick puppy for a couple of days. So it’s back to the drawing board for me.
Julia says
Thank you Thank you Thank you — our youngest has EE and prior to this product, could not have bread & “butter” This is so delicious, I can’t wait to try and bake with it!
Tiffany says
This is a really great and tasty product. My daughter loves it! My husband was using not even realizing it wasn’t the normal margarine he uses. If you’re in doubt regarding this product….don’t be. ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!!
Jody says
I just found out that Ghee (clarified butter) is a great butter for all of us dairy, corn and soy intolerant people! It doesn’t contain the lactose or milk protein. The only down side of it is it’s cost, but it is very, very good!
Janice says
Ghee is made from milk and those who are highly sensitive to dairy protein will react to it, I know my son does. Anyhow, it’s a shame that Earth Balance uses pea protein as those who have peanut allergies react to pea protein 1/2 the time. And my son is allergic to sunflower seeds so he can’t have this.
Pat Galas says
where is this product available…my grandson needs gluten free, casion free and soy free. they suspect a slight case of autism
Alexandra says
I’ve been suffering for half of my life with food allergies, and like everyone else on this page, was SOOO excited about this product! Unfortunately, like some of the others, the only problems are the pea protein and CORN! Thank you so much for the much needed effort, though…. I know lots of people can use this with joy (just not me! major bummer!) c’est la vie. IF you CAN figure out a way to maybe use garbanzo bean protein and some other way of flavoring, I will buy crates of it for LIFE!! Thanks for listening 🙂
HSW says
So sad to see corn on the ingredient list, my daughter is allergic to soy, wheat, corn, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, and milk that we’re aware of so far. I was so excited by the start of the article I emailed it to my husband right away and then had to follow up with “oops” because of the corn. 🙁
Kristy says
I get this and love it! We use it to make a great grilled “cheese”
Mia says
Sounds great. Wish I wasn’t allergic to PEAS!
Mary Beth says
Well, as a very dairy-,soy-, and corn-free person, I was told by my docs to avoid all legumes. So the pea protein in the Earth Balance Soy-Free margarine makes it a no-go for me.
Mari says
I use this product and this line all the time, and I have liked everything in the Earth Balance line, with the exception of the peanut butter. That I disliked, but their shortening and butter substitutes are terrific. As an added bonus, you can eat some without overdoing it. Nice flavor and consistency.
Kim says
My son is allergic to milk and soy, i found this at my super walmart
Cathy says
Alison, I would like to say it is a pleasure reading all of your info on the products. I’m sensitive to so much and I’m hungry! Sometimes Going gluten free is the easy part and then the harder part is to then take away dairy, soy and corn.
I appreciate all of the work you do in sharing your knowledge. I am grateful. God Bless.
alison says
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the nice comment! I agree — if it were only gluten, it would be a piece of cake (gf of course)! It’s the multiple sensitivities that are hard. I am hoping for the day my daughter outgrows her egg allergy. To be able to bake gluten-free WITH eggs! It will be so easy. 🙂
Isabel says
I would like to know how could I buy this product since I live in Barcelona, Spain and I think this trademark only sells in US and Canada, but not in Europe. Do you think I could buy this product on line?
Selene says
Well known and respected board certified cardiologist Steven Sinatra MD warns that while canola and safflower oils are advertised as being trans fat free, when you heat them (as in baking and frying) they convert to trans fats. So I guess it would be OK to use Earth Balance soy free spread on toast, bagels etc. as long as you didn’t use it in baking. That is not a problem with olive oil but baking cakes with olive oil does not yield an entirely satisfactory result.
Thanks for your web site. Those of us with multiple allergies need all the help we can get.
alison says
Wow Selene,
I have never heard this! I will look into it. Thanks.
laurie says
Yes, I agree, thrilled to find this without milk and soy, this works for my daughter, but I am allergic to peas??? Any chance another type is on the way to market without peas? I know it is impossible to “please” everyones issues. But I thought I would ask….beg!! Thank you!!!!!!
alison says
Laurie,
I have spoken with the company about taking the peas out of the recipe… they said they would try!
Mary says
Is it possible for the spread to be made corn-free and soy-free? Do you know of any spreads that are corn and soy-free?
fiona says
I too need a soy, wheat, and the big one CoRn free spread! Everytime we find one that just about fits the bill… Corn derivatives are everywhere… If a product doesn’t have one (soy) it has another (corn)… and vice versa!
But I am happy that companies such as this one are trying their best to help!!
Elizabeth says
Can you tell me if this soy free Earth Balance spread is available in Ontario, Canada yet? If not, will it be & when? What stores carry it? Can I order it online? Is it a margarine? I read that any margarine is very difficult for the kidneys to process, is this true? I am alergic to butter fat & soy, among other things. Before I found out about my allergies, I was using the Earth Balance organic buttery spreads. I didn’t realize injesting them where causing my headaches. When did this new soy free product come on the consumer market & is it organic? Thank you.
Elizabeth
Jules says
I’ll give this a shot and see how it goes. Thank you so much for posting this! Being allergic to casein and soy I have been looking around for a very very long time for a butter I could use. I wish more companies would begin to cater to those with allergies. I guess it is just not as profitable to them. Congrats and many many applause to Earth Balance for taking a step in the right direction!
As a side note: Furniture and car companies are now adding soy to their seat cushions because it is cheaper to process. I only found out about this when I went to try out some sofas and began to itch all over. When I asked what the cushions were made out of, they said soy (ugh!!!)