Smart Balnce Butter - Not Df, But Cf? Huh?

[VydorScope]

Im confused... awhile back I emailed Smart Balance and asked them if thier butter was casien free, and this is the reply I got:

Joan Dippolito

<consumermail@gfabrands.com> to me

There is no casein in any of the Smart Balance spreads although Smart

Balance 67%, Smart Balance 64% w/Flax Oil and Smart Balance Lightly Salted

contain dairy ingredients. All other spreads are dairy free and considered

to be vegan products.

Joan Dippolito

Consumer Relations

GFA Brands Inc.

How can it be casein free, but not dairy free?

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I suppose it's possible to remove the casein (the protein) and still have something left to use in a spread that would allow you to say it had "real" dairy ingredients. If it's dairy-free, it MUST be casein-free, but it's possible to be casein-free and not dairy-free.

Fleishmann's makes a very decent dairy-free margarine--look for it in Kosher grocery stores or in regular grocery stores located in heavily Jewish neighborhoods. Read the label--they also make a margarine that is NOT dairy-free.

Sorry you're having such a tough time with food these days--I hope it gets better!

[tarnalberry]

given that they say it's vegan, I'm guessing it's a typo. vegan food can't contain any animal products. you might email them back asking for clarification, because their response is a direct contradiction.

[VydorScope]

given that they say it's vegan, I'm guessing it's a typo. vegan food can't contain any animal products. you might email them back asking for clarification, because their response is a direct contradiction.

Well they siad "All OTHER spreads are dairy free and considered to be vegan products." So Im assumign that means the dariyfree ones (aka the ones other hten 3 they list).

[Mango04]

I think they're saying all except the three they mentioned are completely DF.

[VydorScope]

HUH?????? I asked for clarification...

Joan Dippolito

Even if a product contains dairy ingredients (in this case it is whey), it does not mean it contains casein.

Joan Dippolito

Consumer Relations

GFA Brands Inc.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

HUH?????? I asked for clarification...

I'm assuming that she means that whey does not contain casein--is that possible?

[VydorScope]

I dont see how since most sites list whey as a form of casien!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Okay, I found this on the Internet (I googled, "casein, whey, and allergies"):

"There are many protein allergens in cow's milk that cause allergic reactions. Casein and whey are the two main components. The curd that forms when milk is left to sour, is called casein. The watery part which is left after the curd is removed, is called whey."

So, whey could possibly be casein-free--but you still might be allergic to it!

[Mango04]

Whey and casein are different, but you should probably stay away from whey if you're having problems with dairy.

[Becky6]

people who are lactose intol don't usually stay away from casein because it is a protein. But there is lactose in whey so they stay away from that. So maybe that is why they say dairy free? Who knows!

[tarnalberry]

Well they siad "All OTHER spreads are dairy free and considered to be vegan products." So Im assumign that means the dariyfree ones (aka the ones other hten 3 they list).

Ah, I misread.

Yep, seems like the issue is that they use whey in that one, but not the others. I avoid whey due to the risk of contamination. It is a different protein than casein (though they are both milk proteins), but I choose to avoid them both. Casein is the protein most dairy-protein intolerants have problems with, but it's possible to have a problem with dairy as well.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

people who are lactose intol don't usually stay away from casein because it is a protein. But there is lactose in whey so they stay away from that. So maybe that is why they say dairy free? Who knows!

They're not saying that their products with whey are dairy-free, they're saying that the three that contain whey are casein-free. All their other spreads are dairy-free (contain neither casein nor whey).

[Becky6]

They're not saying that their products with whey are dairy-free, they're saying that the three that contain whey are casein-free. All their other spreads are dairy-free (contain neither casein nor whey).

That is what I meant. I was typing too fast at work and screwed it up!

[VydorScope]

you'd think thye would have a better form letter hehe....

[GravStars]

there's another product called "Earth Balance" - its like Smart Balance, but it tastes a lot better and melts and spreads easier - its Gluten-Free and Non-Dairy/Lactose-Free/100% vegan (says all this on the tub), non-gmo, non-hydrogenated oil, no artificial ingredients. it might be a little harder to find but they sell it in the Natural Foods section of some grocery stores (Publix here) and health food stores.

[VydorScope]

there's another product called "Earth Balance" - its like Smart Balance, but it tastes a lot better and melts and spreads easier - its Gluten-Free and Non-Dairy/Lactose-Free/100% vegan (says all this on the tub), non-gmo, non-hydrogenated oil, no artificial ingredients. it might be a little harder to find but they sell it in the Natural Foods section of some grocery stores (Publix here, and health food stores).

Does not exist in my grocery stores.... withteh expection of Wild Oats.. did not check their btutters but only get out there once every couple months...

[Cheri A]

I used to use Fleishmann's Unsalted sticks for dairy free, but our stores do not carry it anymore. Also, I think, Fleishmann's light in the tub was dairy free. Check the label if you can get it.

Now I use Crystal Farms (blue box) sticks (I forget whether it says corn oil or canola oil onit. Anyway, she likes it ok too.

[VydorScope]

I used to use Fleishmann's Unsalted sticks for dairy free, but our stores do not carry it anymore. Also, I think, Fleishmann's light in the tub was dairy free. Check the label if you can get it.

Now I use Crystal Farms (blue box) sticks (I forget whether it says corn oil or canola oil onit. Anyway, she likes it ok too.

The only one I have seen is the Fleishmann's light in the tub but that was a at store 30 or so mins away. Not found any expect Smart Blance in my grocery store.

[TCA]

The only thing I could find when we were doing dairy/casien free was Walmart brand margarine in the tub. I'm not a huge butter person, but this got me through.

Also - diary free things can contain casein. Cool Whip, for example is advertised as Dairy free whipped topping, but it contains casein.

[Cheri A]

The only thing I could find when we were doing dairy/casien free was Walmart brand margarine in the tub. I'm not a huge butter person, but this got me through.

Also - diary free things can contain casein. Cool Whip, for example is advertised as Dairy free whipped topping, but it contains casein.

Very true!!

[Mango04]

Does not exist in my grocery stores.... withteh expection of Wild Oats.. did not check their btutters but only get out there once every couple months...

You might want to consider picking up a tub of Earth Balance next time you're at Wild Oats. It's gooooood. I would honestly put it on everything if I could handle that much soy (it contains a little bit of soy protein). Much much better than any other DF/gluten-free options out there, IMO.

[tarnalberry]

I find that, once you get used to the taste, for veggies and most other things, using canola or olive oil works fine. Canola for 'bread' baking or high heat cooking (like hot stir-fries), and olive oil other baking (vegetables/meats) and sautees. Olive oil is really surprisingly versatile if you make use of aromatics properly when using it.