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.
shayla says
So glad to find a milk and soy free butter because my 20month old daughter was diagnosed with a milk allergy about a yr ago and has now developed a soy allergy! Her school is very helpful with making sure she doesn’t eat anything she is allergic to but not being able to find butter she could consume made it very hard to feed her something different everyday of the week. Our local stores don’t carry this but I have requested it and they should receive some next week!
Thanks to this page for letting me know I can request it instead of driving an hr to the metro to find it.
leslie says
This is a great tool for Thyroid Cancer Patients as well! Im in my second week of my low Iodine diet which restricts the use of iodized salt, dairy and soy products. I called the company and they did confirm the salt in the Earth Ballance and other lines they make is NOT Iodized nor is the equiptment used to make it cleaned with iodized cleaning products!! Good news ThyCa patients! Made my all scratch made diet much easier to stomach, no pun intended..lol
Lis says
I was so excited by this until, like others, I came to the corn in the ingredient list. I can tolerate small amounts of soy, so the other spread that does not have corn may be better for me. I avoid soy because it can suppress the thyroid and I had half removed and half to be careful about that.
I would love to find a great dairy, gluten, Corn, and soy free alternative to butter and it looks like I’m not alone. Of course, I’m grateful for this company’s attempts to help those sensitive to certain foods.
Nic says
I just came across this website whilst looking for a dairy/soy free spread. I currently live in the UK and will be moving to America soon. Over here we have a great spread called PURE-made of sunflower oil water, veg oils, salt, emulsifier, vitamins E,A, D2 and B12. The texture is like real butter and my daughter loves the taste. Too bad it is not available in the states!
Nicole says
Has anyone tried using this as a substitute for butter in a boxed cake mix? I made the new Betty Crocker gluten-free brownie and chocolate cake mix. I used Ener-G egg replacer equivalent measurement to substitute the eggs and did the same with Earth Balance soyfree butter substitute. Both the cake and the brownies came out super greasy. The cupcake papers were oily and the brownies were hard and greasy. I know I have a lot of variables with the no wheat, eggs, soy or milk situation, but wanted to see if anyone had any experience with using this product to replace butter. Should it be 1 to 1?
Dyanna says
Earth Balance needs to come to the UK! Since I have moved here from the USA I can not fine a suitable replacement for my dairy allergy. All of the vegan spreads here taste like oil and add no flavor to cooking. Please come to the UK!!!
melissa says
My son is two and a half and was just diagnosed with allergies to milk, wheat, soy,and peanuts with more testing to come. I am shocked how many things he could not have but thankful that I found this butter and it relly does taste good. Now if I could find a free of everything cheese that taste and smelled okay.
Alison says
Melissa,
Cheese is the hardest thing to replace!
Sarah says
Thank you sooooo much! my daughter has dairy & egg allergies, but my son has serious allergies to all top eight so cooking -baking is so hard.. and I love earth balance butter already now I will just have to find this soy free version!! Thank you so much!!!
S
Alison says
Sarah,
Request that your store bring it in — that’s what I had to do.
Whitney says
Was very excited… Until I saw “Pea protein” and “derived from corn”. UGH!
We can’t do any of the legumes, corn, soy or dairy.
Alecia says
I am so excited that some company has come off the soy wagon and noticed their is a real need for products free of the 8 allergens . Between my families allergies i have to find foods without soy, milk, penuts,tree nuts, and no surgars. It has been a struggle to find allternatives to the main stream products. Reading the comments i am so glad i am not alone. Gluten free products have been great because most of them have no soy or milk in them either.
Thank you for passing on the info!!!
So Deliousious cocunt milk makes a great yogurt i found at whole foods soy and dairy free. trying to get it in the whole foods section at raleys.
Have a great day and a pat on the back to us moms to have to make everything scratch for our families with allergies 🙂
Alecia says
Nicole i use canola oil in all my bakeing and it has not failed me yet . I use coconut milk in place of milk and my family loves it. I am going to try safeway version of coolwip for it dose not list soy in the ingrediants to make some jello salad for a change. I use the recipe for chocolate cake on hershey coco and my extended family loves my coconyt chocolate cake for they can not taste the coconut in it. hope this helps.
Still not found a chese subsatute.
Anyone know of a book of recipes that dose not use the 8 common allergies? Where is Rachel ray where you need her:-)
Alecia says
we should all contact earth balance and ask them to take out the peas and corn from the spread the more the better, unite 🙂
Kristina says
THe Earth Balance Soy Free is very hard to find. i live in charlotte, nc and the only place i have found it at is Bloom. Trader Joes “supposedly” carries it but I’ve never seen it at any of my local stores.
sierra says
YEEESSSSS!!!!! butter i can finally have! i think, i havent had it yet and im sure with my luck im illergic to something else in it but im still excited 🙂 i found it in middle town NY walmart
Amira says
Canola oil is one of the least healthy of all the oils. You might want to consider using coconut oil or creating some other spreads entirely. Butter has a wonderful flavor but canola is bad news and the other oils (except olive) shouldn’t be heated.
http://www.whale.to/a/fallon.html
I have multiple food sensitivities and have decided to just skip eating grains and other foods (legumes) that perpetuate a leaky gut in addition to including more foods that promote healing for my gut – such as homemade bone broths. 🙂 Here’s an article about grains: http://nourishedkitchen.com/against-the-grain-10-reasons-to-give-up-grains/
As far as spreads go – macadamia nut butter might work sometimes. Or a sugar-free organic fruit spread you might find at a farmer’s market or on Tropical Traditions (http://tinyurl.com/3sutvrt). Also, Tropical Traditions has some really cool stuff that are pure and great for people who need to pay attention to the food they’re eating.
Zukay Live Foods makes nice dressings and dips too. Not a spread – but still good.
Elizabeth Cox says
Thank you… Thank you… Thank you! I haven’t had toast with butter for a long time. This will be great!
Phil Morris says
Is there a store or website in the UK that stocks this? My son has recently ( he’s 3 now) been diagnosed as allergic to soya and Wheat on top of the already known dairy, egg and nuts allergies. This soy free butter means we can till bake his cakes etc and make sure that his diet does not make him totally moved away from a “normal” diet……
Hope someone can help. Any ideas of Facebook or social network pages as would be really good to talk to people with same issues……..I will start one if there is not one yet.
Phil
Alison says
Hi Phil,
I don’t know if they sell this in the UK, but I would email the company to find out!
Phil Morris says
Well I emailed the company and they don’t have distribution rights in the UK yet! So , if anyone knows of any other companies to source then feel free to let me know.
Hope you all have luck
Phil
starving2death says
It still contains: sunflower, safflower, and corn ingredients = FAIL!
I need something free of dairy, gluten, soy, corn, AND all oils that are insanely high in Omega 6…. it doesn’t exist yet. So, I’m still waiting… waiting… waiting for food manufacturer’s to smarten up and make food without harmful ingredients!
Alecia says
It is so hard to find stores that carry this product. It took me months for my local raley’s to order it and then one tub cost me $6.00. The company site says trader joes carries it but the local trader joes can not order it. UGG,Has anyone else run into this problems? Makes me so made finally a product more people can use and it is so hard to find. It is so easy to find the crap we can not eat. Thank you for letting me vent 🙂
Alecia says
oops I ment to type Mad not made, lol.
Thank you Allison giving us a site to share with each other . I felt so alone with my allergies no one in my families have them so It is so hard at Family events.
My Poor family has to bring our own food all the time and I am always in the garbage looking at labels everyone forgets about. Just sucks! I have to admit somedays are better then others 🙂
Alison says
Hi Alecia,
I know your frustration. I know I have it easier than most because I live close to many grocery stores and can find the products I am looking for. I really feel for those who don’t — it would be so much harder.
Carla @ Gluten Free Recipe Box says
@starving2death – Me too! It seems that when a product is dairy-free it contains either soy or corn. And I was so hopeful about this one, too!
Anna says
Does have sulfites in it, Market basket has it.
Lea says
Unfortunately, it still contains corn.
Olivia says
It is so hard to find products that are safe for those with multiple food allergies, so I feel for those with corn and pea allergies in addition to dairy and soy allergies.
I can eat everything in this spread (finally!) — but I try to avoid things with Palm Oil in them. I believe palm oil has become the go-to oil for manufacturers who want to remove partially hydrogenated oils/trans fats from their labels. Yet, it’s not good for your body or for the earth. See the Rainforest Action Network’s info on palm oil production: http://ran.org/palm-oil
Lisa says
I so hoped this was a genuine product that my daughter could use. But, Alas! I do hope you recognize that if you have an allergy to soy/peanuts, you have an allergy to pea’s and pea protein especially. All legumes in fact!
Christine Byram says
Does anyone know of a Soy free, Dairy free, Corn free butter. We love the Soy free and Dairy free, but Corn is an issue too.
Alecia says
I think the woman’s name was skye from Australia, I was surprised that you have had a product among you for 30 years and the us company’s are just starting to create something. Disapointing- and now the us company’s don’t stock it in every store just the crap. I am starting to be believe the comment our food supply is killing us. The perservatives that cause cancer,bad fats, addicting addivtives like Corn syrup(high fructose corn syrup can be labeled now as corn syurp),and everything you can not read on the label man made. Even Mcdonadls , I found on the web food lasting for months before dissolveing and molding. These big monolopy food companies.
I can not find a allternative sunbutter not made in a facility without treenuts, soy, or peanuts. You kidding me , any one with allergies can tell you it can not be processed on the same equipment for it is not 100% clear.
Ok thank you all for letting me vent.
I started to use this product for my daycare and family and
found more problems with the corn and pea protein. I am back useing a mixture of canola oil and olive oil made by a company Pompeian. I would love to buy cocunut oil like the woman suggested in the comments. Here in california the price for heathy foods is twice sometimes three times more then the regular foods. I can not afford to buy it. A Gallon of regular milk is $3.89 a half a gallon of lactaid milk is $4:19 one quart of Rice milk is $3.89 –I have 5 childrren on Lactaid milk, 3 children on Rice Milk, 2 children on Regular milk. I am a part of the food program of California I have to serve three cups of milk a day with each meal. Add it up – It is a crazy food bill.
Any how I will stay posted to anyone who will have any ideas or websites with extra help navigateing the food supply :-).
Lisa Almy says
You have done well to get the dairy and soy out of your product! BUT! Pea protein! Peas are a legume. People, If you are allergic to peanuts, you are allergic to soy and visa-versa. If you are allergic to peanut and soy you are allergic to ALL legumes. Period!
Tricia says
I am concerned about the kind of corn you are using because most corn is sprayed. It is the pesticides that cause havoc in our bodies. Also, most canola and safflower oils do not do well if used at high temperatures….they become toxic so I gather this product is not meant for cooking but there is no reference to this on your website. Please advise.
Blessings, Tricia
Alison says
Tricia,
You will have to contact the company. I do not make or sell the product.
Donna says
I was excited until I read that it contained safflower oil. That’s also and allergen. I guess butter/margarine is out for good for me. Bummer.
Linda says
Does anyone know of a dairy-free, gluten-free, CORN-FREE margarine?
MaryDK says
Waaah! I wish they would get rid of the corn ingredient then it would be perfect for my kiddo with wheat, corn, soy and peanut allergies :o(
Channie says
So excited about this! My cousin just turned 8 and has sadly never had cake. She is allergic to eggs, dairy, wheat, and soy. I’ll be going to the whole foods store to pick this up tomorrow so I can make her her very first cake! YAY!
Kathy says
OK, everybody, I’m posting my EASY-TO-MAKE RECIPE for making BUTTERY SPREAD at home — NO CORN OR SOY. I DID use a very little bit of butter flavoring, and almond milk (but you could use anything, even water.) The butter flavoring hasn’t seemed to bother my husband, maybe because it’s basically butter oil without the milk solids.I am SOOOO excited to make this at home!! Now we can have “butter” on our baked potatoes 🙂 And it’s PROBABLY cheaper than store bought, too! I order stuff from Azure Standard in the U.S.
In a small glass mixing bowl, melt together:
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 Tbsp. Spectrum organic Shortening (palm oil)
2 Tbsp. virgin olive oil, or rice bran oil (I use this)
1 small pinch turmeric powder for color
1 tsp. almond milk, unsweetened (can substitute other)
1/8 or 1/4 tsp. salt (I like it saltier,like butter)
1/8 tsp. butter flavor (Frontier does have canola oil,
clarified butter oil, “natural flavor” & ethyl
alcohol in it. Maybe there’s an organic butter
flavoring somewhere, I haven’t looked)
whisk until smooth & blended.
Half fill a larger bowl with ice cubes or crushed ice. Place small bowl into ice bowl & keep whisking oil mixture until it cools & starts hardening up- 2 to 4 minutes. Keep refrigerated in lidded container. Makes about 1/2 cup.
Please leave feedback on this & say how you like it!
Sherry says
Canola oil is so unhealthy and unnatural; is there a healthy, organic, vegan, gluten-free butter replacement sold that doesn’t contain canola oil?
Scott says
Thanks for posting that, Kathy. The corn derivatives are a deal-breaker for the Earth Balance so I’ll give your recipe a try. Here in the Chicago area, the Olive Tap has olive oil with a natural (not infused) buttery flavor. I imagine using that in your recipe might make the “butter flavor” unnecessary 🙂
Kathy says
Scott, I’ve also re-made this recipe using more almond milk, since it’s cheaper than the oils, and also using ghee for buttery flavor instead of butter flavoring. It turned out just as well. So you can alter it as you wish.
Jelena says
Hi, I’m dairy and soy intolerant. I live in Australia, I wonder if earth balance margarine is available in Australia? Thanks for your help and hope to hear from you soon. Cheers
Mary says
Stay away from Canola, folks….not good stuff! It’s not even a plant name. It originates from ‘Canada’, hence the Can-ola! Health sites warn staying away from this and almost all products use this as a cheap, imitation filler! I can’t stand how much our food is toyed with and without us knowing! The fact that it contains ‘corn’ derivatives leads me to also believe that it is a GMO product! Well hidden, again! No thanks, I’ll wait until someone comes up with a totally clean and natural product, free of artificial ingredients and GMOs. Those who are needing to stay away from these products shouldn’t be mislead.
Kathy says
Jelena and Mary, try making your own! See my easy recipe on October 26, 2012 post. Then you can leave out canola or anything else you don’t want!
Sylvia says
I tried it…I loved it! It spreads, it melts, and it tastes so great!
LS says
Corn is allergenic/problematic for a lot of people…keep looking.
Kathy says
Sylvia – I’m so glad it worked for you. LS, did you see my recipe from October 2012? No corn involved!
LS says
@Sylvia…no but I’ll check it out, never thought of making it, but when you can’t find what you want, and coconut spread makes your greens taste like, coconut flavored collard greens…I’ll try anything. The coconut spread is good if you’re into gluten free bread though.
LS says
@Sylvia…BTW, thank you!
Maura Reedy says
Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread has soybean oil! I am so frustrated because I cannot find a buttery spread that is free of corn and soy. Any ideas?
kathy rigall says
try making your own! See my easy recipe on October 26, 2012 post. Then you can leave out canola or anything else you don’t want!
Mary DK says
Thanks Alison, I’ll check that out for sure.
Joanne says
Please!!!!! Can you find abutter substitude without dairy,soy,andpea protain ???