TLDR Review: Smart Balance Buttery Spread
Verdict
If you’re craving the *original* Smart Balance buttery spread experience, beware—the current formulation falls short in taste, texture, and health benefits, disappointing many long-time fans. The noticeable recipe change, combined with poor customer communication, has led many to jump ship to competitor brands. However, if you want a convenient, dairy-free, and gluten-free butter alternative that spreads easily and still offers some health perks, this might work for you. For those seeking a more consistent and original-quality spread, exploring other brands might be the smarter bet—for now.
- Top pro:
- Tastes very close to real butter while offering a healthier alternative.
- Top con:
- The product labeled as "Original Smart Balance" no longer matches the original recipe, leading to disappointment.
Pros
- •Tastes very close to real butter while offering a healthier alternative.
- •Easy to spread, making it convenient for quick use, especially during busy mornings.
- •Non-dairy and gluten-free, suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
- •Supports maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
- •Frequently recommended as a tasty substitute for traditional butter.
Cons
- •The product labeled as "Original Smart Balance" no longer matches the original recipe, leading to disappointment.
- •Recent batches are described as soft, mushy, and less spreadable compared to the previously firm, knife-scrapable original.
- •The oil content appears to have dropped from 64% to about 39%, with less than 2% olive oil, and added water diluting quality.
- •Significant changes to ingredients and texture have degraded both taste and health claims.
- •An unpleasant, rancid, or fishy oil taste has been reported in new batches.
- •Customer service has been criticized for inadequate responses, offering coupons instead of real solutions, and lacking transparency.
- •Loyal customers feel misled by the labeling and frustrated by the lack of disclosure about reformulation.
- •Many users have switched to competitor brands due to dissatisfaction with this version.
- •The packaging no longer emphasizes non-GMO status or the health benefits originally touted.
- •The product is softer and greasier than before, losing the original’s desirable mouthfeel.
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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